Repeater for transmission system for controlling and determining the status of electrical devices from remote locations

ABSTRACT

A repeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmitting information between a first device and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communication between the devices, comprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving signals from the first and second devices and transmitting the received signals for reception by the respective first and second devices; and further wherein a direct communication path for the information between the first and second devices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable, the repeater providing an additional path for the information between the first and second devices; the repeater being spaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, said specified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensure communication reliability. A plurality of repeaters can be provided in the system as the overall system expands when additional first and second devices, such as master units and control devices, are added. The plural repeaters employ a repeater transmission sequence in order to ensure reliability of communication. In addition, the repeaters build a bit map of status information received during the repeater sequence to ensure that all status information is received by each master unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the control of electrical devices, andin particular, electric lamps, from remote locations. Even moreparticularly, the present invention relates to the control of electricaldevices such as electric lamps from remote locations through radiofrequency links. In particular, the present invention relates to asystem for controlling electrical lamps from remote locations overcommunications links, e.g., radio frequency links, and which dispenseswith any need to alter the internal wiring of the electrical system,i.e., the internal wiring of a building. Even more specifically, thepresent invention relates to a repeater for such a system for repeatingcommunications signals between components of the system to insure thateach component reliably receives communications intended for it.

The present invention provides a system for controlling the status ofelectrical devices, for example, electric lamps, from a remote locationvia communication links such as radio frequency links, power linecarrier links or infrared links. The present invention allows the statusof the electrical devices, e.g., on, off and intensity level, to betransmitted back to a master location. The present invention may employat least one repeater to help ensure reliable communications between thecontrol devices for the electrical devices, for example, speciallyadapted lighting control devices in accordance with the invention, andat least one master unit. In the preferred embodiment, the master unitgenerates a radio frequency signal which is transmitted to and receivedby either or both a control device, such as a light dimmer, and arepeater, which is provided also to relay the control signals to thecontrol device. The repeater is important in the case where the controldevice is unable to receive the control signals directly from the masterunit. The control device then actuates the electrical device to thedesired status, returning a radio frequency signal via an antenna to themaster unit or to the master unit via the repeater indicating the truestatus of the electrical device.

In another embodiment, the invention uses power line carrier signals tocommunicate from master unit to control device and radio frequencysignals to communicate from control device to master unit optionally viaa repeater.

In yet another embodiment, the invention uses an RF to power linecarrier bridge. RF control signals are transmitted from a master unit tothe bridge and converted to PLC signals for receipt by the controldevices. The control devices transmit status RF signals to the bridgefor conversion to PLC signals for receipt by the master unit.

Although the present invention is directed particularly to a lightingcontrol system, the present invention can be applied to communicationsignals relating to the control and status of other devices, forexample, communication equipment, motors, audio/visual equipment,computers, appliances, HVAC systems, security systems, etc.

The present invention preferably includes one or more lighting controldevices which each include an antenna and a control and communicationscircuit which activates a controllably conductive device containedwithin the lighting control device. A controllably conductive device maycomprise, e.g. a semiconductor device such as a TRIAC, bipolartransistor, FET, IGBT, etc. or a switch or relay or any other devicewhose conductive state can be controlled. The lighting control devicecan also be manually actuable. The lighting control device, according tothe preferred embodiment of the invention, includes an RF antenna, atransmitter/receiver and a control circuit for processing signalsreceived from a master unit and for communicating status information tothe master unit.

The control device preferably fits into a standard electrical wall box,so the antenna which comprises a part of the control device ispreferably sized so as to fit within the standard electrical wall box orwithin the area defined by the faceplate for the opening of a standardelectrical wallbox.

According to the invention, the master units can take several forms. Inone embodiment, the master unit comprises a table top master which canplug into an electrical outlet, and has a conventional antenna fortransmitting and receiving signals. In another form, the master is awall mount master and is sized such that it fits within the confines ofa standard electrical wall box. In either embodiment, the master unitpreferably includes a plurality of controls, each associated with aparticular electrical control device or a plurality of electricalcontrol devices. As will be explained herein, the association of theelectrical control devices to a particular control on the master unit isfreely programmable by the user. Further, the master unit may includefunctions which allow all electrical control devices to be turned on oroff simultaneously. In addition, the present invention can include atleast one repeater, which helps to ensure that all signals communicatedbetween master and control devices are received by the appropriatereceiver, whether the master or the electrical control device. Therepeaters employ a repeater sequence for helping to ensure that eachreceiver receives those signals intended for it.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the repeater is for use inan RF communications system. The repeater transmits information receivedfrom a first device and a second device. The first and second devicesare adapted both to transmit and receive and the repeater transmits andreceives to provide two way communication between the first and seconddevices. The first device may be, e.g., a master control unit forremotely controlling the status of a plurality of electrical devices,such as electric lamps connected into a hardwired electrical systemconnected to an electrical power network. The second device may be acontrol device for the electrical device connected into the hardwiredelectrical system. The first and second devices include RFtransmitter/receivers for communicating with each other either directlyor via the repeater. The repeater helps to assure that communicationbetween the first and second devices occurs despite shadowing, nulls,attenuation, electromagnetic interference and inefficient antennas. Therepeater helps to assure reliable communication within the confines of abuilding and despite stationary interference/attenuation sources, suchas walls, building materials, furniture, plumbing, electrical lines,etc. and moving interference/attenuation sources, such as people,animals and water in plumping lines, for example. The repeater isparticularly suited for transmitting signals in a communication systemlocated in a confined area, such as a building, and is particularlyadapted for transmitting signals in a radio frequency control system forcontrolling the status of a plurality of electrical devices such aselectric lamps connected into a hardwired electrical power network suchas the electric system of a building.

A plurality of repeaters can be used as the number of and distancebetween first and second devices increases. Each repeater has a controlcircuit for transmitting received information in a defined repeater timeslot and in a defined sequence predetermined to ensure that all devicesreceive the information intended for the device. The sequence does notrequire knowledge of the order or location of the repeaters to guaranteethat each device receives the information intended for the device.

Each repeater includes a circuit for generating a status bit map of allcontrolled electrical device status information known to it. The statusbit map is transmitted to other repeaters with the other repeaters eachadding status information known to the particular repeater to the statusbit map. After the repeater sequence is complete, the complete statusbit map having all status information will be formed ensuring that allrepeaters transmit a complete status bit map and all devices receive theinformation intended for that device. In particular, each master unitwill have received the complete status bit map at least once. In orderto obtain high reliability, the repeater is spaced more closely than thewider spacing allowed by theory.

There are various systems known in the prior art which allow for remotecontrol of lighting fixtures without hard wiring control lines to thelighting control devices.

In one prior art system, a user can install a so-called three-wayelectrical switch, i.e., an additional light control switch, into anexisting hard wired single control system by replacing an existingmanually operated lighting control device with a lighting control devicehaving a radio frequency receiver incorporated therein. The replacementlighting control device is hard wired into the electrical system in thesame way as the conventional device to control the lighting fixture. Theradio frequency receiver is responsive to radio frequency signalsgenerated by a remote battery powered switching device having atransmitter which can be conveniently affixed to a building wall atanother location, thereby to provide the three-way switch circuit. Theadditional battery powered lighting control device has a manuallyoperated lever, which when operated, sends an RF signal to the otherelectrical control device which is hard wired into the building'selectrical system. The hard wired device will then toggle in responsefrom its present state to the opposite state, i.e., from on to off oroff to on. Thus, either switching device, the hard wired replacement orthe battery powered device, can operate the light fixture. Accordingly,a three-way electrical switch can be provided into an existingelectrical system without hard wiring the three-way switch into thesystem. In this prior art system, having the battery poweredtransmitting switch and the hard wired switch including the receiver,the hard wired receiving switch includes a whip antenna made from apiece of insulated wire which is allowed to dangle out of the electricalbox either outside the building wall or inside the wall. The receiver inthe hard wired switch allows only one way of communication i.e., itreceives signals from the battery powered transmitting switch. Two-waycommunication between the hard wired switch and the transmitting switchis not provided.

A system of this type is sold by Heath Zenith as the Reflex switch.Another device of this type, which instead employs a hand-held remotecontrol to provide a three way switching function, is manufactured byDimango.

In another prior art system an existing hard wired manually operatedlighting control device is replaced with a lighting control devicehaving a radio frequency receiver incorporated therein. The replacementlighting control device is hard wired into the electrical system in thesame way as the conventional device to control the lamp in a lightingfixture. The radio frequency receiver is responsive to radio frequencysignals generated by a remote battery powered control device having atransmitter which can be conveniently affixed to a building wall atanother location. The battery powered control device has switches toenable the selection of four different light levels. The switches whenoperated cause an RF signal to be sent to the electrical control devicewhich is hard wired into the building's electrical system. The hardwired device responds to the RF signals by adjusting its output to causethe lamp to operate at one of four different predetermined light levels.In addition to responding to RF signals, the hard wired device can alsooperate in response to the actuation of manually actuated switchesincorporated within it. Two way communication between the hard wireddevice and the battery powered control device is not provided. A systemof this type is sold by Leviton as the Anywhere switch.

In another prior art system, known as the X10 system, standard lightingcontrol fixtures are replaced by lighting control fixtures operating viaa power line carrier (PLC) communication system, i.e., information foroperating the remote lighting control devices is provided over thebuilding existing power line by a power line carrier (PLC). In addition,in some of these systems, an RF communications link is also provided sothat a hand held remote control master device can be used to operate thevarious lighting fixtures. In these systems, an RF repeater may also beprovided. In the X10 system, only one way communication is provided sothat a master unit is not apprised of the status of the controlled lightfixtures. Also, the user is unable to tell if the command by the masterwas carried out by the lighting control device due to poor communicationlinks caused by noise, burned out light bulbs, etc.

In the X10 system, a radio frequency to PLC bridge is provided toconvert radio frequency signals into power line carrier (PLC)communication signals. The RF to PLC bridge plugs into an existing walloutlet and provides the PLC carrier onto the electrical power line to bereceived by controlled lighting control devices. Typically, the RF toPLC bridge comprises a box which is plugged into an existing wall orelectrical outlet and has an antenna for receiving signals from themaster controller or a repeater.

In addition to the X10 system, there are also known two-waycommunications links for providing, in general, home automation. Theseinclude the Electronic Industries Association Consumer Electronics Bus(CEBus) (EIAIS-60) protocols for radio frequency media, power linecarrier, infrared media and twisted pair media, and the EchelonCorporation LONworks. Intellon Corp. provides transceivers that complywith the CEBus standards for RF and power line carrier. Echelon providestransceivers that comply with their communications protocol. Althoughthese systems in general provide communications links which can beadapted to consumer and home use, none of them provide for theintegrated system for controlling electrical devices as describedherein.

In addition to the above, a system known as the Smart House supplied bySmart House LP is also available. This system comprises a wired systemand, accordingly, would entail expensive alteration and dislocation ifapplied to the control of electrical fixtures, particularly lighting ina home.

In addition to the above, the assignee of the present application offerssystems known as HomeWorks, NetWorks and LuMaster which are hard-wiredcontrol systems controlling lighting devices. Although these systems aresuitable for new construction, they entail major alteration anddislocation when applied to existing homes.

Also becoming available are wireless local area networks (LANs) forcomputer systems, which employ radio frequency communication methodsensuring that all nodes of the network can communicate with each other.See, for example, Electronic Design, Jun. 26, 1995, page 55.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide arepeater for a system for remotely controlling electrical devices, forexample electric lamps without having to rewire a building's electricalsystem.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for an RF communication system for controlling electric lampsand/or other electrical devices which allows a building's existinglighting system, for example, to be controlled from remote locationswithout having to rewire the building's electrical system.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for an electrical control system providing two waytransmit/receive communications of radio frequency signals, therebyallowing the reception of signals to operate an electric lamp or otherelectrical device from a remote location as well as a transmit functionto provide back to the remote location the status of the affectedelectric lamp or electrical device.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for such a system including one or more master units and one ormore control devices, for example, dimmers, the latter being installablein standard size electrical wall boxes so that they can be installedretroactively into a building's electrical system to allow remotecontrol of the control devices.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide acontrol device which is capable of manual action and which transmits asignal regarding the status of the electrical device upon actuation forreceipt by a master unit for display thereon.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for a system for remote control of control devices controllingelectrical devices, for example electric lamps, which includes at leastone master unit having a plurality of controls, each of which isprogrammably associatable with one or more control devices.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for a system for the remote control of control devicescontrolling electrical devices, for example light dimmers controllingelectric lamps, which allows for reliable two-way radio frequencycommunications between the control device and the master control unit,such that information is provided by the master unit to a lightingcontrol device to control the status of the associated electric lamp,and information concerning the status of the associated electric lamp istransmitted back to the master unit to be displayed.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for communicating with a control device, the control deviceincluding an antenna, a transmitter/receiver, and a control circuit forcontrolling the actuation of the associated controlled electrical devicein response to signals received from a master unit, and which providescommunications back to the master unit concerning the status of thecontrolled device.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for a system for remotely controlling electrical devices, forexample, an electric lamp, which includes at least one master unit andat least one control device, and wherein at least one repeater helpsensure that communications between master unit and control devices arereceived by the respective devices.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for use in an RF communication system.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide such arepeater which transmits received information between a first device anda second device.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which transmits information between first and second deviceswherein the first and second devices are adapted both to transmit andreceive communications.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for providing communications between a master control unit forremotely controlling the status of a plurality of electric devices, suchas electric lamps connected into a hard wired electrical systemconnected to an electrical power network, and a plurality of controldevices for controlling the electrical devices.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater for use in a system for remotely controlling electrical deviceswhich helps to ensure communication between components of the systemdespite shadowing, nulls, attenuation, electromagnetic interference andinefficient antennas located in certain ones of the components.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which helps assure reliable communication within the confinesof a building and despite stationary interference/attenuation sourcessuch as walls, building materials, furniture, plumbing, electricallines, etc.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which helps assure reliable communication within the confinesof a building despite moving interference/attenuation sources such aspeople, animals, and water in plumbing lines.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which is particularly suited for transmitting information in acommunication system located in a confined area, such as a building, andwhich is particularly adapted for transmitting information in a radiofrequency control system for controlling the status of a plurality ofelectrical devices such as electric lamps connected into a hard wiredelectrical power network such as the electrical system of a building.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which can be used with other repeaters without interferencebetween repeaters and wherein repeaters can be added as the number ofcomponents in the system increases.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide such arepeater having a control circuit for transmitting received informationin a defined repeater time slot and in a defined sequence predeterminedto ensure that all devices receive the information intended for thedevice.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which can function with other repeaters according to a definedsequence wherein the sequence does not require knowledge of the order orthe location of the repeater to guarantee that each device receives thesignals intended for the device.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater including a circuit for generating a status bit map of allelectrical device status information known to it and which status bitmap is transmitted to other repeaters with the other repeaters eachadding status information known to the particular repeater to the statusbit map.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide arepeater which can operate with other repeaters according to a sequenceto generate a completed status bit map, and once the completed statusbit map is formed, to ensure that all repeaters transmit a completestatus bit map and all devices receive the completed status bit map andthus the information intended for the particular device.

Yet still a further object of the present invention is to provide such arepeater which is used in a system such that the spacing of the repeaterfrom other components is closer than the wider spacing allowed bytheory.

The above and other objects of the present invention are achieved by arepeater for use in a two way communication system for retransmittinginformation between a first device and a second device to help ensurereliable two way communication between the devices, the repeatercomprising: a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receivinginformation in signals from the first and second devices andtransmitting the received information in signals for reception by therespective second and first devices; and further wherein a directcommunication path for the information between the first and seconddevices is provided, the direct communication path being intermittentlyunreliable; the repeater providing an additional path for theinformation between the first and second devices; the repeater beingspaced from said first and second devices by a specified distance, saidspecified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximumcommunication distance between the repeater and each of the first andsecond devices.

According to the preferred embodiment wherein a plurality of seconddevices are provided, said first device comprises a master unit, saidplurality of second devices comprises control devices for controllingrespective electrical devices; the master unit transmitting controlinformation to establish a status of respective ones of the electricaldevices, the control devices being adapted to respond to selectedcontrol information to command the respective electrical devices to astatus directed by the control information, the control devicegenerating status information for transmitting to the master unit; therepeater comprising an information combiner for generating combinedinformation on the status of all the electrical devices, the combinedinformation being transmitted for reception at least once by said masterunit.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by a method for two-waycommunication between a first device and a second device to help ensurereliable two-way communication between the devices comprising: providinga repeater within communication range of each of the first and seconddevices; receiving information from first and second devices with therepeater and transmitting the received information in respective signalsfor reception by the respective second and first devices; furtherproviding a direct communication path for the information between thefirst and second devices, the direct communication path beingintermittently unreliable; the repeater providing an additional path forthe information between the first and second devices; said step oftransmitting comprising helping to ensure that information transmittedby the repeater in the respective signals does not interfere withsignals transmitted by the first and second devices; and spacing therepeater from said first and second devices by a specified distance, thespecified distance being significantly less than a theoretical maximumcommunication distance thereby to ensure communication reliabilitybetween the repeater and each of the first and second devices.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by a repeater for use ina two way communication system for transmitting information between afirst device and a plurality of second devices to help ensure reliabletwo way communication between the devices, the repeater comprising: atransmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receiving information insignals from the first and second devices and transmitting the receivedinformation in signals for reception by the respective second and firstdevices; said first device comprising a master unit, said plurality ofsecond devices comprising local control devices for controllingrespective electrical devices; the master unit transmitting controlinformation to establish a status of respective ones of the electricaldevices, the local control devices being adapted to respond to selectedcontrol information to command the respective electrical devices to astatus directed by the control information, the local control devicegenerating status information for reception by the master unit; and therepeater comprising an information combiner for generating combinedinformation on the status of all the electrical devices, the combinedinformation being transmitted for reception at least once by said masterunit.

The objects of the invention are furthermore achieved by a method fortwo-way communication between a first device and a plurality of seconddevices to help ensure reliable two-way communication between thedevices comprising: providing a repeater within communication range ofeach of the first and second devices; receiving information from firstand second devices with the repeater and transmitting the receivedinformation in signals for reception by the respective second and firstdevices; said step of transmitting comprising helping to ensure that thetransmitted information in the signals does not interfere with signalstransmitted by the first and second devices; wherein the first devicecomprises a master unit, the plurality of second devices comprise localcontrol devices for controlling respective electrical devices, andfurther comprising the steps of; transmitting control information at themaster unit to establish a status of respective ones of the electricaldevices; responding to selected ones of the control information at thecontrol devices to command the respective electrical devices to a statusdirected by the control information; generating status information atthe local control devices for reception by the master unit; generatingcombined information at the repeater of the status of all the electricaldevices; and transmitting the combined information for reception atleast once by said master unit.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by a method forcommunication between a first device and a second device to help ensurereliable communication between the first and second devices comprising:transmitting information from the first device in a signal radiated byan antenna at the first device having a maximum dimension less than onetenth the free space wavelength of radiation transmitted from the firstdevice; providing a direct communication path for the informationbetween the first and second devices, the direct communication pathbeing intermittently unreliable; providing a repeater with a highefficiency antenna within communication range of each of the first andsecond devices, the repeater providing an additional path for theinformation between the first and second devices; receiving theinformation from the first device with the repeater and transmitting theinformation for reception by the second device; spacing the repeaterfrom the first and second devices by a specified distance, the specifieddistance being significantly less than a theoretical maximumcommunication distance between the repeater and each of the first andsecond devices; receiving the information at the second device with anantenna having a maximum dimension less than one tenth the free spacewavelength of radiation transmitted from the first device.

The objects of the invention are also achieved by a method for two waycommunication between a first device and a second device to help ensurereliable two way communication between the devices comprising:transmitting first information from the first device in a signalradiated by an antenna at the first device having a maximum dimensionless than one tenth the free space wavelength of radiation transmittedfrom the first device; providing a direct communication path for thefirst information between the first and the second devices, the directcommunication path being intermittently unreliable; providing a repeaterwith a high efficiency antenna within communication range of each of thefirst and second devices, the repeater providing an additional path forthe first information between the first and second devices; receivingthe first information from the first device with the repeater andtransmitting the first information for reception by the second device;spacing the repeater from the first and second devices by a specifieddistance, the specified distance being significantly less than atheoretical maximum communication distance between the repeater and eachof the first and second devices; receiving first information at thesecond device with an antenna having a maximum dimension less than onetenth the free space wavelength of radiation transmitted by the firstdevice; transmitting second information from the second device insignals radiated by the antenna at the second device; receiving thesecond information from the second device with the repeater andtransmitting the second information for reception by the first device;and receiving the second information at the first device with theantenna at the first device.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following description of the invention whichrefers to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail in the followingdetailed description with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of the overall system for controllingelectrical devices from remote locations;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a lighting control device, inthe embodiment shown, a light dimmer, employable in the invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a wall mounted master controlstation employable in the invention for controlling electrical devicesfrom a remote location;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a table top master controlstation for controlling electrical devices from a remote locationaccording to the invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a repeater station accordingto the present invention for helping to ensure that communicationsignals between master stations and control devices are properlyreceived;

FIGS. 6 (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) show respectively: (a) a lightingcontrol device comprising a dimmer; (b) a lighting control devicecomprising an on/off switch; (c) a wall mounted master control station;(d) a table top master control station; and (e) a repeater, allaccording to the present invention;

FIGS. 7 (a), (b) and (c) shows various master controls, particularly:(a) a 7 button master control; (b) a 12 button master control; and (c) a17 button master control, all mountable in standard single or multi-gangelectrical wall boxes;

FIG. 8 shows typical positioning of a repeater in a three roominstallation;

FIG. 9 shows an installation of the various components according to thepresent invention in a typical house, with the enlarged inset view ofFIG. 9 showing one master control for this typical application;

FIG. 9A is a detail of a portion of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 is a detailed view of the control panel of the table top masterof FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the control panel of the repeater stationof FIG. 5;

FIG. 12 shows an overall flow diagram for the various modes of operationof the present invention;

FIGS. 13(A), 13(B) and 13(C) show the repeater installation modeutilized when installing the system according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 shows the address mode utilized when setting up the systemaccording to the present invention to address each of the individualcomponents;

FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C show the program mode utilized in programming themaster control station for assigning specific lighting control devicesto specified buttons on the master control;

FIG. 16 shows the dim set mode which allows the user to adjust the lightlevel settings of lighting control devices from a master controlstation;

FIG. 17 shows the operating mode of the system according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 18 shows the communications protocol among the master stations,repeaters and dimmers;

FIG. 19 shows details of the communications protocol according to FIG.18;

FIG. 20 shows further details of the communications protocol of FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 shows how the installation of a repeater provides for morereliable communications in the environment of a typical house;

FIG. 22 shows how multipath nulls occur and how they result in receptionof attenuated received signals, and for which the present inventionprovides a solution by accomplishing space diversity using one or morerepeaters;

FIG. 22A shows a possible layout of lighting control devices, mastercontrol stations and repeater stations in an installation;

FIG. 23 shows the block diagram of a master station according to theinvention;

FIG. 24 shows the block diagram of a repeater, according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 25 shows the block diagram of a dimmer control device according tothe present invention;

FIG. 26 is a system diagram of an overall system for controllingelectrical devices from remote locations using a combined RF and powerline carrier signal communications system;

FIG. 27 is a system diagram of another embodiment of an overall systemfor controlling electrical devices from remote locations using acombined RF and power line carrier signal communications system;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a master unit for use in the system shownin FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a control device for use in the systemshown in either FIGS. 26 or 27;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a master unit for use in the system shownin FIG. 27;

FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a radio frequency to power line carriersignal bridge utilized in the system shown in FIG. 27; and

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of the connection of the control device to anelectric lamp showing how the control device of FIG. 25 receives power.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a system according tothe invention connected into a building's hard wired electrical system10, which can be used to accomplish the remote control of the electricallamps or other electrical devices hard wired into the hard wiredelectrical system 10. With the exception of installing lighting controldevices to replace the existing standard lighting control switches, nochange in the building wiring is necessary to implement the controlfunctions. Accordingly, the system shown in FIG. 1 can be used toprovide remote control of a building lighting system without installingany additional wires. This is particularly useful to retrofit anexisting building for remote control without expensive construction workand rewiring. The system of the invention can, however, also be used innew construction. Even in new construction the invention has benefits inreducing the amount of wiring which is necessary.

In one embodiment of the invention, all control functions areaccomplished by radio frequency signals between master control devicesand lighting control devices, which may, but need not, be routed througha repeater.

According to the preferred embodiment of the system of the invention, amaster control device 20 may be installed having a plurality of controlsand status indicators 22 which control various control devices assignedto the various control buttons. The assignment of the particular controldevices to particular control buttons is in accordance with a computerprogram which will be described in greater detail herein. According tothe preferred embodiment, the master device 20 includes an antenna 24for receiving and transmitting radio frequency signals and plugs into awall outlet 25, for example through a transformer 26, for power. Ifdesired, another type of master unit 30 can also be provided. The masterunit 30 is identified as a wall mount master, because it is installableinto a standard electrical wall box. The wall mount master shown in FIG.1 is a single gang design, but it may be of multiple gang design asdescribed later herein, and thus will fit in a multi-gang standardelectrical wall box. The wall mount master 30 includes an antenna whichis hidden from view and described in Applicant's co-pending applicationSer. No. 08/598,239, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,965, filed concurrentlyherewith. Such an antenna is preferably hidden from view and receivesand transmits radio frequency signals for control and status functions.A number of master units, either of the table top type or wall mounttype or any combination of same can be provided in the system accordingto the invention.

According to the preferred embodiment of the system described, arepeater 40 is also provided to help ensure that every component of thesystem will receive the RF communication signals intended for thatcomponent for control purposes and/or for providing status information.The communication protocol used by the repeater and the other devices isdescribed herein and in co-pending patent application Ser. No.08/597,706, now pending, filed concurrently herewith. The system isdescribed herein and in co-pending patent application Ser. No.08/599,097, now pending filed concurrently herewith.

At least one lighting control device 50 is provided which is capable ofmanual actuation via a manual control button 52, but which is alsocapable of receiving radio frequency signals from the master units 20,30 or repeater 40, to control the status of an electric lamp 54. Inaddition, the lighting control device 50 is capable of transmittingradio frequency signals to the repeater 40 and/or master units 20 and 30to inform the master units of the true status of the affected electriclamp 54. The status is indicated on a display device of the master unit.This is a true status of the affected electric lamp and if the affectedlamp is burned out, the dimmer is malfunctional or a communications linkis broken, the status indicator on the master will not light, informingthe operator of a problem.

The lighting control device 50 may comprise a dimmer, for example, andmay include a plurality of status indicating devices, for example, lightemitting diodes 56 which radiate through optical wave guides to indicatethe intensity setting of the electric lamp 54 to the user. In addition,the lighting control device 50 includes a means 58 for setting theintensity level. For example, such means 58 may comprise an up/downrocker switch. Furthermore, an on/off switch 59, for example, an air gapswitch, may be provided to disable the operation of the lighting controldevice, as desired, e.g., for maintenance purposes.

A lighting control device having the general appearance of the lightingcontrol device 50 shown in FIG. 1 is the device of the Maestro line soldby the assignee of this patent application. However, the Maestrolighting control device is not provided with any means for radiofrequency communication, but merely is referred to here as an example ofa lighting control device which has the general appearance of thelighting control device 50 shown herein. Additionally, the Maestrodevice can share some of the same or similar mechanical/electricalcomponents as the lighting control device described herein.

As shown, the master can receive signals from the control devicesdirectly or through the repeater. Likewise, the control devices canreceive signals from the master either directly or through the repeater.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of lightingcontrol device 50 shown in FIG. 1. The lighting control device 50includes an insulating backcover cap 500 through which the powerelectrical wires can be provided. Into the backcover cap 500, an RFboard 502 is provided, coupled to the antenna, to be described ingreater detail below. The purpose of the RF board 502 is to receiveradio frequency signals from the antenna for controlling the operationof the electric lamp as well as for transmitting radio frequency signalsto the antenna for transmission back to the master devices.

Also provided in the backcover cap 500 is a radio frequency interference(RFI) suppression choke 504 and a capacitor 503 which is provided toappropriately filter the alternating current energy which is supplied tothe lighting control device for power via building electrical system 10.

Also provided into the backcover cap 500 is a power and control board506, which includes a power supply and regulator and a microprocessorcontrol circuit that is controlled by signals received from the RF board502 and which transmits signals to the RF board 502 concerning thestatus of the electric lamp.

The power and control board 506 includes a plurality of light emittingdiodes which indicate the status of the affected lamp or lamps. Asub-bezel 508 is provided above the light emitting diodes and includesmolded-in light-pipes 508A to transmit the light from each of the lightemitting diodes externally of the device so that the light emitted bythe light emitting diodes is visible to an operator of the device.Preferably, the sub-bezel can be made of a clear plastic such as Lexan™or other polycarbonate or other light transmitting plastic to performthe light pipe function. Additionally, the sub-bezel 508 also functionsto insulate antenna board 526 from the user. The antenna board 526according to the preferred embodiment is coupled to the A-C supply, sosuch insulation is required according to the preferred embodiment.Coupled to the backcover cap 500 is a backcover ring, also of aninsulating material, and indicated at 510 in FIG. 2. The backcover cap500 and backcover ring 510 are held together by appropriate means, forexample, screws 512. The lamp controlled by the power and control board506 is controlled by a semiconductor power device 514, which maycomprise a triac. Semiconductor power device 515 may be an FET or othertransistor used as part of the power supply regulator for power andcontrol board 506. The RF board 502 may be coupled to the power andcontrol board 506 via a flex ribbon electrical connector 516 as shown.

Power semiconductor devices 514 and 515 are fastened to a metal yoke 518via screws 520 to dissipate heat. The yoke 518 thus comprises a heatsink and also functions as the means by which the lighting controldevice 50 is mounted into an electrical wall box. Accordingly, yoke 518includes two screw holes 522 for receiving mounting screws for mountingthe yoke and accordingly the lighting control device 50 into theelectrical wall box in conventional fashion. Disposed above the yoke 518and insulating the yoke 518 from components disposed above the yoke isan insulating member 524 which may be made of an insulating materialsuch as Kapton® as manufactured by DuPont. The insulating member 524 aswell as the yoke 518 include a plurality of holes therethrough for lightpipes 508A as well as wiring for connections to a printed circuitantenna board 526 disposed above the insulating member 524. A three pinelectrical feed 528 is provided for connecting the antenna printedcircuit board 526 to the RF board 502. Subbezel 508, disposed above theantenna printed circuit board 526, is made of a suitable insulatingmaterial and has disposed thereon an actuating button 52 operatingthrough the intermediary of a molded-in hinge bar 534 to control aswitch. The switch is operated by the hinge bar 534 and provides signalsto the microprocessor which controls the operation of the powersemiconductor device 514 to control the on/off status of the lightingcontrol device. In addition, a rocker arm control 537 is provided havingoperating surfaces 58 for operating switches for increasing ordecreasing the intensity of the connected electric lamp.

Airgap actuator 59 operates airgap leaf switch 536 to provide a positiveairgap system off for system maintenance.

In addition to insulating sub-bezel 508, insulating members 525 may beprovided, as necessary, to further insulate antenna board 526. Thesemembers 525 may be used to block small apertures in sub-bezel 508provided for molding clearances.

Bezel 530 is provided as an outer covering for aesthetic purposes andmay be suitably colored. Preferably, bezel 530 and members 52, 59 and538 are each factory installed in one of selected colors so that anappropriate aesthetic appearance can be obtained. These respectivecomponents are interchangeable so that different colors or colorcombinations can be provided.

The elements 52, 59, 530, 536 and 537 are substantially conventional andtheir functions are known from the Maestro line of light dimmers sold bythe assignee of the present application.

The antenna printed circuit board 526 is coupled to the yoke in aninsulating fashion preferably via adhesive on both sides of insulatingmember 524. Sub-bezel 508 is coupled to yoke 518 via screws 531 andinsulates the antenna from the external environment. In the preferredembodiment, the antenna is coupled to the power line and is accordinglyat the power line potential. The sub-bezel 508, however, completelyinsulates the antenna from the user to prevent electrical shock. Thisconstruction saves the need for expensive and bulky electrical isolationof the antenna from the power line.

As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna printed circuit board 526 is completelyenclosed within the lighting control device 50. There is no danglingantenna as in the prior art or any external antenna. The device 50 fitswithin a standard electrical wallbox. Alternatively, antenna board 526can be sized so that it is somewhat larger than the outwardly facingopening in the electrical wallbox. In such case, the antenna board 526is mounted just above the opening and should be sized so that it is nolarger than the faceplate for the wallbox opening, and thus concealedbehind the faceplate.

In similar fashion to the lighting control device 50, shown in FIG. 2,the preferred embodiment of the wall mounted master unit 30, shown inFIG. 3, includes a backcover cap 300, a power supply filter capacitor304, an RF board 302, a flex connector 316, a power and control PC board306, a backcover ring 310, power semiconductor control device 314 andvoltage regulation device 315, a yoke 318, an insulator 324, forexample, of Kapton® as manufactured by DuPont, an antenna PC board 326as well as a different design sub-bezel 308 incorporating light pipes308A, control buttons 322 and a bezel 330. A screw 331 fastens sub-bezel308 to the yoke. Antenna screws 327 may be used to fasten the antenna tothe yoke 318. Alternatively, adhesive can be used as in the embodimentof the dimmer of FIG. 2. A three pin feed 328 is provided forelectrically coupling the antenna PC boards 326 via a three pin feedsocket 329 to the RF board 302. As in the lighting control device 50,screws 320 are provided for fastening the semiconductor power device 314and regulator 315 to the yoke 318. The backcover cap 300 can be suitablyfastened to the backcover ring via screws 312.

The design of the antenna PC boards 326 and 526 may be somewhatdifferent due to the differences in the number and function of thecontrol buttons provided on the master 30 versus the lighting controldevice 50. Preferably, however, the antenna PC board 326 and 526 aredesigned according to the same constraints i.e., to fit within anelectrical wall box, or within the faceplate area, so that they are ofcompact design, suitable for receiving and transmitting radio frequencysignals, substantially far-field isotropic so that they are ofparticular use in confined areas such as buildings; having a narrowbandwidth and thus unaffected by extrinsic and out-of-bandelectromagnetic interference and interference caused by accompanyingcontrol circuits; of small size to fit into confined spaces and inparticular, into standard electrical wall boxes; having an evanescent orfringe near-field disposed near the printed circuit board substrateedges and having a substantially negligible field on the backside of thesubstrate so as to minimize interference, particularly with adjacentcontrol circuitry; preventing transmission substantially beyond thelocal area of the lighting system; capable of reception and transmissioneffectively despite the size of the antenna being much smaller than theoperating wavelength; of particular use with the local control devicesand master units of the RF controlled lighting control system of thepresent invention; sized so as to take maximum advantage of the smallspace available in electrical wall boxes but allowing other components,including mechanical actuation components and user indicators, forexample, optical waveguides, to be incorporated in the wall box; ofstable impedance relative to the environment and relatively unaffectedby the environment; having an essentially capacitive impedance which iscompensated by built-in inductive loading provided by the configurationof the PC board; concealed from view having no dangling or aestheticallydispleasing visible antenna; providing a predominantly evanescent orfringe side radiation pattern in the near-field with substantially anegligible field on the antenna board backside to minimizeelectromagnetic coupling into the control circuitry; cost effective andeliminating the need for expensive and bulky AC network isolationelectrical circuits but yet being completely insulated from the user;and capable of operation with two wire light dimmers having no neutralconnection.

The details of the antenna 326 and 526 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 aredescribed in applicants above-identified co-pending application filedconcurrently herewith. As described in that application, the antennae326 and 526 preferably comprise a PC board type of antenna in whichmetallized land patterns are disposed on an insulating substrate. Theseantennae are sized to fit substantially within the area of the faceplatefor the opening of an electrical wallbox. At the frequency andwavelength of operation of the preferred embodiment of the invention(418 MHz), the antenna size is such that all dimensions aresubstantially less than the free space wavelength of the RF signalsprocessed, and, in particular, less than one-tenth the free-spacewavelength.

FIG. 4 shows details in an exploded perspective view of a table topmaster control station 20 shown in FIG. 1. According to the invention,the table top master control station comprises a base 200 and optionalwall mounting plate 201 which snaps into the base 200 and allows themaster to be mounted on a wall. The master includes a power connection202 for plugging into a standard electrical outlet 25. Preferably, atransformer 26, as shown in FIG. 1, converts the standard electricalcurrent to a low voltage current.

The master unit shown in FIG. 4 includes a main board 205 comprisingvarious electrical components and a microprocessor to be described ingreater detail below, and the unit further comprises an RF board 207which is coupled to a conventional antenna 209, for example, atelescoping or non-telescoping pivotable antenna 209 as shown. Incontrast to the antenna of the wall mounted master or control device,the table top master (and also the repeater) can employ a highefficiency antenna. A flex connector 216 is provided to connect RF board207 to main board 205. Disposed above the main board 205 is a buttonhousing 211 which provides support means for a plurality of usercontrols and indicators 213 and upon which labels of the functions ofthe various buttons and indicators may be provided. The user controlsand indicators 213 include a plurality of buttons 215 as well asindicators 217, which might comprise light pipes for providing theoutputs of light emitting diodes (located on main board 205) visibly tothe user.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a repeater unit according tothe present invention, and the function of which will be explained ingreater detail below. The repeater 40 includes a base 400, an optionalwall mounting plate 401, a power plug 402, a main control board 405, RFboard 407 coupled to antenna 409, a button housing 411 providing supportfor a plurality of indicators and buttons 413. The indicators andbuttons 413 comprise a plurality of buttons 415 and light pipes 417. Aflex connector 416 is provided to connect main board 405 to RF board407.

FIG. 6 shows the appearance of various ones of the components accordingto the present invention. FIG. 6(a) shows a typical dimmer 50 accordingto the present invention. FIG. 6(b) shows a typical on/off switch 50',which does not include a dimmer function. FIG. 6(c) shows a typical wallmounted master control 30, as shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 6(d) shows a typicaltable top master control station 20 and FIG. 6(e) shows the appearanceof the repeater station which is shown in more detail in FIG. 11.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, asdescribed in greater detail below, the intelligence of control functionsof the invention is distributed amongst the various components,including the repeater, the master station and the various lightingcontrol stations 50 or 50'.

FIG. 7 shows that the wall mounted master stations 30 can comprisemaster stations having different numbers of control functions. Forexample, FIG. 7(a) shows a single gang master station mountable in asingle gang electrical wall box and comprising seven buttons, five ofwhich control the control devices in assigned locations and the othertwo buttons comprising respective switches to control the controldevices to turn all electric lamps "on" simultaneously and all lamps"off" simultaneously. FIG. 7(b) shows a double gang wall mount mastercapable of controlling control devices assigned to 10 different controlbuttons and FIG. 7(c) shows a triple gang master control station capableof controlling control devices assigned to 15 different control buttons.Each of the wall mount masters 7(b) and 7(c) also include switches withcontrol buttons for "all on" and "all off".

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thepurpose of the repeater 40 is to help ensure that RF communicationsignals between master and control devices are received by the intendedreceivers. Accordingly, the system according to the preferred embodimentof the invention is provided with at least one repeater, whichpreferably is as centrally located as possible to help ensure that allcommunication devices are within a prescribed radius of the location ofthe repeater. As shown in FIG. 8, a preferred implementation of thepresent invention provides that all communication devices are locatedwithin 30 feet of the repeater. According to the preferred embodiment ofthe invention, more than one repeater can be used, as will be describedin greater detail below.

FIG. 9 shows a typical installation of the system according to thepresent invention in a house having a floor having six rooms. As shown,a typical installation might include the disposition of a table topmaster control 20 in a master bedroom 100, various dimmers 50A, 50B,50C, 50D and 50E (or alternatively switches or a combination of switchesand dimmers) in respective master bedroom 100, kitchen 102, living room104, foyer 105, and dining room 107. In addition, a single repeater 40is provided in a central location in a room 109 to help ensure thatsignals between the master and the various dimmers and/or switches arereceived by the intended receivers. In addition, a wall mount master 30is preferably provided in the entrance foyer of the house so that allswitches and/or dimmers may be controlled or status determined frommaster locations 20 or 30. If the system is spread over a larger area ordifficulty is experienced receiving signals at control devices ormasters, additional repeaters can be installed.

The master control 30 shown in FIG. 9 is shown enlarged in FIG. 9A toillustrate a typical arrangement of the control buttons and how a usermay program the control buttons to implement desired functions. As shownin FIG. 9A, the master control 30 includes a plurality of controlbuttons. In the embodiment shown, there are five control buttons 31assigned to each of five rooms in the house. The remaining two buttons33 allow the user to turn all controlled lamps on or all controlledlamps off simultaneously.

FIG. 10 shows the control panel of the tabletop master 20 shown in FIG.4. It comprises buttons 22A with corresponding LEDs 22D. It furtherincludes "all off" button 22B and "all on" button 22C. Dim set button22G, "raise" and "lower" buttons 22F and level LEDs 22E are used whenthe tabletop master is used in "dim set" mode described herein inconnection with FIG. 16.

FIG. 11 shows the control panel of the repeater station 40 shown in FIG.5. It comprises repeater controls 422, set up controls 424 and testingcontrols 426. The repeater controls include main switch actuator 422Band associated LED 422A, and remote switch actuator 422D and associatedLED 422C. The set up controls 424 include install switch actuator 424Band associated LED 424A, and address switch actuator 424D and associatedLED 424C. The testing controls 426 include beep switch actuator 426B andassociated LED 426A, the flash switch actuator 426D and associated LED426C. The function and use of these controls is described in more detailbelow.

Turning now to FIG. 12, the system according to the preferred embodimentof the invention is configured and programmed on site. The systememploys a program of operation which is easily learned. The purpose ofthe configuration is to locate and identify all components that will beused in a particular system. In applications such as high risecondominiums and apartment buildings, because two separate systems maybe used in close proximity, it is important that the two systems notinterfere with each other. Accordingly, an installation routine isemployed so that a proper house code can be selected by the system sothat it will not interfere with nearby systems. This is particularlyimportant in applications such as high rise condominiums and apartmentbuildings since each system must have its own separate code to avoid thesituation where systems in close proximity operate as a single systeminstead of as two separate systems. According to the preferredembodiment of the invention, the system randomly selects one of 256available house codes to keep such interference from occurring.

In order to accomplish this function, one repeater of each system isselected as a main repeater. This is shown in FIG. 11. Switches 422B and422D are provided on each repeater, and one of the repeaters is set to"main" with all other repeaters utilized in the system being set to"remote". According to the preferred embodiment, at least one repeatermust be used in the system according to the invention.

However, the system need not employ a repeater. The primary function ofthe repeater is to increase reliability in a system of the type using RFsignals according to the present invention. A repeater would not benecessary if all devices can communicate with the master unit directly.Further, according to the present invention, certain program functionsare provided in the repeater, e.g., the programs relating to assignmentsof house codes and master and control device addresses. These programfunctions can be provided in other places, e.g. in the master units, ifa repeater or repeaters is not employed.

Furthermore, as will be explained below, the repeaters develop an on-offstatus bit map and an intensity level bit map to assist in providingreliability. If a repeater or repeaters is not employed, such functionsare not necessary.

FIG. 12 shows the overall program flow for the system according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention, beginning with startup.The normal mode of operation is known as the operating mode and it isthe mode in which the system operates after the user installs thesystem, addresses all components of the system and programs theoperation of the buttons on the master station.

As shown, upon beginning installation of the system, the operator firstenters an "install" mode 600 in which a house code is selected. Afterthe install mode, the user enters an "address" mode 700 in which alllocal and master controls are provided with addresses by the repeater.Both the install mode and the address mode are selected by the user atthe repeater or repeaters. Once all local and master controls have beenaddressed, the operator then proceeds to the "program" mode 800, whichis entered into from a master station. In this mode, all the localcontrols are assigned to master control station buttons. Once the localcontrols have been assigned to master buttons, the user then enters intothe operating mode 1000.

In addition, the user may also set each of the dimmers employed in thesystem to a particular light level, as indicated by "dim set" mode 900.The user may return to the install mode if repeaters must be added or tothe address mode if additional masters or dimmers are installed or tothe program mode to change current master button assignments.

The user first enters the repeater install mode shown in FIG. 13A. Asshown in FIG. 11, the user operates the switch 422B on the selectedrepeater to "main". LED 422A will light up. The repeater is preferablylocated centrally to all the local and master controls. Preferably, therepeater is located within 30 feet of all local and master controls andis discreetly placed.

After the first repeater is placed, and set to "main", as indicated atsteps 602 and 604 in FIG. 13A, the user presses the install button 424Bon the setup panel of the repeater, as shown in FIG. 11 and indicated atstep 606. When the user selects a particular repeater as the mainrepeater by actuating "main" switch 422B, the repeater assumes thenumber 1 or "R1" position in the repeater sequence, to be described indetail below. The program is preferably set up so that the installbutton must be held for a set period of time, e.g., 5 seconds. Once heldfor that set period of time, an LED 424A will flash, as indicated instep 608 and shown in FIG. 11. The program will then randomly select ahouse code, amongst one of a large number of possible house codes, forexample, 256, i.e., an 8 bit code. This is shown by step 610 in FIG.13A.

The system program then automatically checks for a conflict, as shown at612 by determining if any conflicting house codes have been received. Ifa conflicting house code is received, as indicated at 614, the programre-enters step 610 and selects another house code at random. Inaddition, at step 612, the repeater selected as the main repeaterdetermines if there is another repeater set as main in the install mode.This is shown at step 616. If another repeater is set to "main" and isin the install mode, the LED 424A turns red, as indicated in step 618.The user then presses the install button 424B again as shown in step 620and thereby exits the install mode as shown at 622. Because the systemhas determined that another system in close proximity is being installedat the same time, the user must wait until the other system is installedand then can try again, as indicated at 624.

Assuming that the repeater in the install mode has determined that thereis no conflict with another system, as indicated at 626, the house codewill have been selected and the user can then, assuming the system hasmore than one repeater, install the remaining repeaters of the system.Accordingly, in step 628, the user positions the next repeater in theappropriate location so that it is within 30 feet of all local andmaster controls not served by another repeater. Unlike the firstrepeater, this repeater is set so that it is a remote repeater.Accordingly, switch 422D is operated to "remote". The install button424B is depressed again, as shown in step 630, in the same way as shownfor 606, and the install LED 424A will flash green as indicated at step632. The remote repeater then requests a house code and a repeateraddress, via RF communications, from the main repeater, as indicated atstep 634. The first remote repeater to be installed obtains position"R2" in the repeater sequence. Subsequently, installed repeaters areidentified in the repeater sequence seriatum beginning with "R3". Theremote repeater then has to determine if there is a conflict, asindicated at step 636. Depending on the result of the conflictdetermination, the program flow is then in one of three directions, asindicated by A, B and C in FIG. 13A.

If the remote repeater cannot communicate with the main repeater, anindication will be given, e.g., the LED 424A will go to a steady red, asindicated at 638 of FIG. 13B. The user must then reposition therepeater, as indicated at 640 and then return to step 630 and press theinstall button at which point the already described routine is repeated.

If a conflicting house code is determined by the remote repeater i.e.,the remote repeater is in a position whereby it has determined that thehouse code selected by the main repeater conflicts with the house codeof another system in close proximity, then the install LED 424A willflash red, as indicated at 642. If the remote repeater determines thatthere is a conflicting house code, it will communicate with the otherrepeaters of this conflict, and the install LED of all repeaters willbegin to flash red as indicated at 644. The user then removes allrepeaters from the install mode and goes back to the main repeater andbegins with step 606 by setting the main repeater again to the installmode so that a new random house code can be selected.

In the event that no conflict is detected by the remote repeater at 636,an indication will be so given, e.g., the LED 424A will light a steadygreen, as indicated at step 646. The user then determines whether thisis the last repeater, as indicated at step 648. If it is not, the userreturns to step 628 and positions the next repeater and installs thenext repeater in the same way. Assuming it is the last repeater, theinstall button is depressed on any of the repeaters and held for 5seconds as indicated at step 650. The remote repeater whose installbutton has been depressed will then communicate with all other repeatersand all repeaters will exit the install mode, as indicated at step 652.The repeaters of the system have now all been installed, and the user isnow ready to enter the address mode 700.

The address mode 700 is shown in FIG. 14. In the address mode, therepeater provides addresses to each of the local and master controls.

The address mode 700 is shown in detail in FIG. 14. To enter the addressmode the user can operate the address button on any repeater. This putsall repeaters in address mode. A request for address is always passed tothe main repeater which issues the address which is then passed to thelocal or master control as described below. To enter the address mode,the user operates the address button 424D on any one of the repeatersand holds it for five seconds, as indicated in step 702 in FIG. 14. Theaddress LED 424C will turn on, as indicated in step 704. As shown instep 706, if any other repeater receives a communication from anotherrepeater that the other repeater has entered the address mode, then allrepeaters will enter the address mode. This is true even of repeatersthat receive the communication from another repeater that the otherrepeater has entered the address mode only after receiving suchinformation from still yet another repeater. That is, the repeatersrepeat the information from one repeater to another so that eventually,all repeaters in the system enter the address mode as long as one ofthem has entered the address mode.

At step 708, the repeater determines whether it is a main or remoterepeater, as determined by the setting of the repeater mode controls422. If it is a main repeater, the repeater listens to determine if ithas received a valid message from one of the master or local controls,as indicated at step 710. This is performed in accordance with acommunication protocol employing time slots, as will be discussed inmore detail below. Assuming that it has received a valid message, therepeater determines if the message is a request for address, asindicated in step 712. If it is, the repeater transmits the nextavailable address to that device, as indicated at step 714. The programnext determines if the address button had been held for five seconds, asindicated at step 716. If so, the repeater then transmits an exitaddress mode command at step 718 for receipt by all local and mastercontrols and exits the address mode as indicated at step 720. If not areturn is made to step 710. The address LED 424C is turned off at step722.

If at step 710, a valid message has not been received, branching is thento step 716 as indicated by the branch line 724. If the address buttonhas not been held for five seconds, a return is made to step 710.

If at step 712 a request for an address has not been received, adetermination is made at step 726 whether an exit address mode commandhas been received from another repeater. If not, step 716 is entered anda determination is made if the address button on that repeater has beenheld for five seconds in which case the address mode is exited. If atstep 726 an exit address mode command has been received, the addressmode is exited, as indicated at step 720.

If at step 708 the repeater determines that "remote" has been selectedby switch 422D, the repeater repeats all valid messages it has receivedat step 728. At step 730, the repeater determines if it has received anexit address mode command. If so, return is to step 720 and the addressmode is exited. If not, the determination is then made at step 732 ifthe address button has been held for five seconds. If so, an exitaddress mode command is sent at step 734 and a return to exit addressmode at step 720 is made. If not a return is made to step 728.

At step 712, the repeater determines if a request for address has beenreceived from the master or local controls. In order for a repeater toreceive a request for address from one of the local or master controls,the user goes to one of the local controls or one of the master controlsin the house. The user changes the state of the local control by turningit on or off. A signal is provided to the user to indicate that anaddress has been received. For example, the load, typically an electriclamp, is programmed to flash, for example, twice, indicating that thelocal control has received an address from the repeater. The localcontrol is also provided with the house code by the main repeater atthis time, as indicated at step 714. The user then goes to each localcontrol and repeats this procedure, i.e., turns the local control on oroff. If the local control has received an address from the repeater, asignal is provided to the user. For example, a suitable way toaccomplish this is to "flash" the load, i.e., the electric lamp iscaused to flash on and off, preferably twice. The user thus goes aroundthe entire house and obtains an address for each of the local controlsin this manner.

With respect to the master controls, a preferred implementation forproviding addresses to the master controls relies upon the "all on" or"all off" buttons of the master control. When the all on or all offbuttons change state, according to the preferred embodiment of theinvention, all the LED indicators on the master control will flashtwice, indicating that it has received an address from the repeater. Themaster control is also provided with the house code by the main repeaterat this time, as indicated at step 714. The user performs this sameoperation on each of the master controls until all of the mastercontrols have been properly addressed. The main repeater preferablyassigns addresses to each local control seriatum in accordance with theuser's sequence of selection of the local controls for addressing,beginning with the address "D1". Similarly, for the master controls,addresses are assigned by the main repeater seriatum in accordance withthe user's sequence of selection for addressing beginning with theaddress "M1". Once the user has addressed all local and master controls,the user takes the system out of the address mode, as indicated at step716 or 732 by pressing the address button and holding it for fiveseconds.

As indicated in FIG. 14, any of the repeaters, whether a main or aremote repeater, can be used to enter the address mode. If it is a mainrepeater, the transmission of the next available address to a local ormaster control is originated at that repeater. If it is a remoterepeater, the repeater merely repeats all valid messages, including theassigned addresses. However, according to the preferred embodiment, theassignment of addresses is performed only in the main repeater, asindicated in FIG. 14.

Once each of the master and local controls have been addressed, the useris then ready to enter the program mode, i.e., the mode in which thelocal controls are assigned to buttons on the master station. Theprogram mode is shown in FIGS. 15A, 15B and 15C.

Because the local controls of the present invention are typically onlytwo wire controls, i.e., such that they switch only the hot side of theAC line and are unconnected to neutral, in order to power the localcontrols, it is necessary that each local control on the system beequipped with a load and that the load be operational. Thus, in the caseof a lighting system, each local control must be connected to anoperational lamp. Otherwise, it will not be possible to address orprogram the local controls.

Before any local and master controls can be programmed, they must beassigned addresses by the address mode. In order to verify that allcontrols have an address, the user can go to one of the repeaters andpress and hold the flash mode button 426D for five seconds. The flashmode button is in the testing panel as shown in FIG. 11. If a localcontrol has an address, it will be flashing its load on and off. If amaster control has an address, it will be flashing its LEDs on and off.

The repeater also displays a "beep" function. The beep function isprovided for troubleshooting. When beep mode select button 426B isactuated, e.g., by actuating it for more than 5 seconds, LED 426A turnson to indicate the beep mode has been entered. In this mode the repeaterprovides an audible beep whenever it receives a signal from a master orcontrol device. This is used during testing to determine if a repeatercan receive signals from the master and control devices. To exit the"beep" mode, the user again actuates switch 426B for the preset periodof time, e.g., 5 seconds. Beep mode LED 426A is extinguished and thesystem enters the state it was in previously.

Assuming that each local and master control has an address, the userenters the program mode as indicated in step 802 by pressing and holdingselected buttons on the master control simultaneously for a set periodof time, e.g., five seconds. In one embodiment of the invention, the topbutton in the right most column and the all-off button of the mastercontrol are held simultaneously for five seconds. The LED to the left ofthe top button will begin to flash and all local controls assigned tothis button will turn on. All local controls not assigned to this buttonwill turn off.

Initially, no local controls are assigned to any of the buttons, so alllocal controls will turn off.

At step 804, the user pushes a master control button that the userwishes to program. The LED to the left of the button will begin toflash. The master control will send out a command that that particularmaster control, and the particular button selected is now in the programmode. This is illustrated in step 806 in FIG. 15A. In response to thecommand, all other masters will then enter a lock-out mode so that theycannot be programmed. All their LEDs will flash and their buttons willnot perform any function. This is indicated in step 808. The user thenwalks throughout the house and turns on the local controls that the userwishes to be assigned to that button. If a local control is already onand the user wishes to delete that control from the button, that localcontrol is turned off. This is indicated in step 812. Step 810 indicatesthat assigned dimmers will go on and unassigned dimmers will go off.

After each dimmer which is to be assigned to a particular button hasbeen turned on and after each dimmer which is not to be assigned hasbeen turned off, the dimmer transmits its address and status, asindicated at 814, to the master control. The master then sets up therelationship between the assigned local controls and the particularbutton depressed, as indicated at step 816. The user then selects thenext button to program, as indicated at step 818 in FIG. 15B. The mastersends out an assignment bit map of all the dimmers assigned to theprevious button at step 820. Based upon this assignment bit map, whichspecifies all those dimmers assigned to the previous button, the dimmerscalculate a response slot so that they can send back status informationto the master. The lowest addressed dimmer found in the assignment bitmap is assigned to slot 1, the second lowest addressed dimmer to slot 2,etc. as is described in more detail below. This is indicated in step822. At step 824, the dimmers acknowledge receipt of the assignment bitmap. The master station now transmits a new command indicating that anew button has been depressed, as indicated at step 826. As before, allthose dimmers assigned to this button will go on and those unassignedwill go off as indicated in step 828. Initially, no dimmers will beassigned, so all will be off. The user then goes about the house, andassigns dimmers by turning them on and de-assigns dimmers by turningthem off. This is indicated at step 830. The dimmer transmits itsaddress and status, as indicated at 831 in FIG. 15C to the mastercontrol. The master then sets up the relationship between the assignedlocal controls and the particular button depressed as indicated at step832. At step 833, as indicated in FIG. 15C, a determination is made ifall buttons have been programmed. If they have not, return is made topoint A in FIG. 15B and the next button is programmed, after a newassignment bit map is sent out for the last button to be programmed sothat each of the dimmers obtain a response slot to transmit status tothe master.

The user then goes about programming each of the remaining buttons onthe master control. Once all buttons have been programmed, the userexits the program mode by holding the top and "all off" buttons in theright-most column for five seconds, as indicated at 834. The mastersends out an assignment bit map of the last button pressed, as indicatedat 836 and each of the assigned dimmers obtain a response slot. Oncethis is performed, the master transmits a command to exit the programmode as indicated at 838. All of the masters then exit lock-out mode asindicated at 840 and the dimmers return to the state prior to theprogram mode as shown at 842. Assuming that the user does not desire toenter any other state, the user then enters the operating mode, asindicated in step 844.

FIG. 16 illustrates the "dim set" mode 900 of FIG. 12. The dim set modeis entered by operating the dim set button 22G of FIG. 10 of the mastercontrol as indicated at 902. All button LEDs 22D flash and top andbottom intensity level LEDs 22E light steadily as indicated in step 903.The user then operates a button to be set as indicated at 904. ButtonLEDs 22D stop flashing as indicated at 905. The LED for the button to beset lights steadily as indicated in step 906. The master sends out arequest for dimmer levels for the button to be set to all local controlsand repeaters as indicated at step 907. Dimmers assigned respond withtheir light levels as indicated at step 908. The repeaters build andtransmit an intensity level bit map which includes the intensity levels,in the preferred embodiment, of the four lowest addressed dimmersassigned to that button. Once the complete intensity level bit map isdeveloped and received by the master, the master averages the lightintensity levels in the bit map as indicated in step 910. The masterthen extinguishes the top and bottom LEDs of group 22E and illuminatesan LED to correspond with the average light level as indicated in step912.

The user presses a button as indicated at step 913. The masterdetermines if it is the "dim set" button as indicated in step 914. Ifnot, the master system determines if another button is to be set asindicated at step 915. If not, it must be a "raise" or "lower" button22F as indicated at step 918. The LED of the group 22E of LEDs which isilluminated to indicate the intensity level of the assigned lamp orlamps changes depending on whether the "raise" or the "lower" button isoperated as indicated at step 919. The master then transmit new lightlevel information to the dimmer or dimmers assigned to that button asindicated at step 920. All dimmers assigned set the connected lamp orlamps to the new light level as indicated at step 921. The master thenreturns to step 913 and waits for another button to be actuated. Ifanother button is actuated at step 915, the master returns to step 906.If the dim set button is actuated again at step 914, the master exitsthe dim set mode as indicated at step 916 and then returns to theoperating mode as indicated at step 917.

Once the dimmer settings have been made and the dim set mode has beenexited, the system then enters the operating mode as illustrated in FIG.17.

As described previously, each local control device, e.g. each dimmer orswitch, may include a manual actuating device to allow the user tochange the status of the connected lamp or lamps. When the userinitiates such action to change the connected load status, the localcontrol transmits a status information signal to the master or masters(directly and/or indirectly via a repeater or repeaters) to indicate thetrue status of the respective load. By "true" status, the invention alsocontemplates that when a master transmits a control signal to a localcontrol device, the local control device transmits a signal indicatingthe true status of the connected load.

In the operating mode 1000, the user first initiates an event, forexample, pressing a master control button to turn on certain lamps. Themaster control then communicates a link claim, as indicated at 1004.Each of the repeaters pass the link claim to the other repeaters and thecontrols. The master then sends a message, as indicated at 1006, and therepeaters pass this information. The device, for example, a master, thenpreferably waits for one of 4 random time slots, as indicated at 1008.The device thereafter resends the link claim and the repeaters pass it,as indicated at 1010. The device resends the message and the repeaterspass it as indicated at 1012. At step 1014, each of the listeningdevices assigned to the actuated button transmits its status. Therepeater or repeaters repeat signals from the master units or lightcontrol devices in time slots. The repeaters build an on-off status bitmap as they receive communications and pass the on-off status bit maparound by retransmission. In the preferred embodiment, the on-off statusbit map indicates the status of all control devices assigned to theactuated button, i.e., on or off. Those control devices not assigned tothe actuated button do not respond and the on-off status bit mapincludes information for those control devices indicating no response.Each repeater adds information to the on-off status bit map known to itso that after a complete repeater sequence determined by the number ofrepeaters, as explained in greater detail below, the complete on-offstatus bit map of all system information is developed and transmitted.In this way, it is ensured that the master will have received a completeon-off status bit map of all status information at least once.

At step 1016, the initiating master device determines if it received theproper status information from the local control device. If it did, theevent is complete as indicated at 1018. If not, a determination is madeat step 1017 if the initiating master device has sent the message twotimes. If not, return is made to step 1004. If yes, the event isconsidered complete.

Turning now to FIG. 18, details of the communication protocol describedbetween masters, repeaters and dimmers are shown. The description isgiven for the communication of the on-off status bit map but the sameprotocol is used for the assignment bit map and the intensity level bitmap, previously described. The system employs a protocol of sendingmessages, as described, two times, in order to provide reliability. In ausual situation, a master will transmit a command twice, as indicated inFIG. 18. Each repeater will then transmit the command in its own timeslot, as indicated in FIG. 18. FIG. 18 shows that three repeaters areemployed in the system illustrated. Each repeater repeats the command inits time slot for each master command. The assigned dimmers thentransmit their status in their assigned time slots, as discussed above,and to be discussed in greater detail below. Once each dimmer hastransmitted in its time slot, the repeaters develop the on-off statusbit map. Each repeater inserts into the on-off status bit map thatinformation which it has received to form a more complete on-off statusbit map. After a certain number of transmissions of the on-off statusbit map, a complete on-off status bit map will have been developed andeach master unit will have received the complete on-off status bit mapat least once. Once each of the repeaters have transmitted the completedon-off status bit map, and it has been received by the masters, if themasters receive an on-off status bit map other than the one expected,the masters will repeat and transmit the command again, as shown byretry number 1 in FIG. 18. Optionally, additional retries can be used ifthe first retry also fails.

In the initial transmission of the command packet, the master transmitsa link claim followed by a command packet. This is shown in FIG. 19.Each repeater then repeats the link claim and thereafter the commandpacket, as shown in FIG. 19. Each repeater repeats the link claim andthe command packet in its own time slot, as indicated.

In the second transmission of the command packet as indicated in FIG.20, the master again transmits the link claim and the command packet andeach of the repeaters retransmits the link claim and command packet asshown.

In the second transmission by the master, as shown in FIG. 20, themaster sets up a plurality, in the embodiment shown, four, back-offslots for transmission. The reason for the second transmission is toallow a second attempt at communication when two devices try tocommunicate at the same time and also to increase reliability. If twodevices attempt to communicate at the same time, on the retry, the fourrandom back off times reduce the probability of any two devices tryingto communicate again at the same time. The probability of thisoccurrence the second time is one quarter the probability of thisoccurrence the first time. The master selects one of these four slots,e.g., randomly. In the illustrated example shown in FIG. 20, the masterhas randomly selected slot 3. The command packet is repeated immediatelyafter slot 3 beginning in back-off time slot 4.

In order to allow communication between the lighting control devices andthe master station without interference, each lighting control deviceautomatically determines a time slot for the transmission of statussignals. This is done by having the master generate the assignment bitmap defining all lighting control devices assigned to each master unitactuator.

After each master button has been programmed during the program mode,the master sends out the assignment bit map of all local controlsassigned to a particular button. This was described above in connectionwith the program mode. The dimmers then determine their slot by countingthe number of dimmers assigned to the button with a lower address thanits own address and adding one for itself. For example, if there areeight dimmers, the assignment bit map generated by the master might lookas follows:

    ______________________________________                                        dimmer No.                                                                             1      2      3    4    5    6    7    8                             assignment                                                                    bit map  0      1      1    0    0    0    1    0                             Slot No.        1      2                   3                                  ______________________________________                                    

Accordingly, in the above-illustrated example, dimmers 2, 3 and 7 havebeen assigned to the particular master button as indicated by a "1" inthe assignment bit map. Dimmers 2, 3 and 7 are therefore assigned slotnumbers 1, 2 and 3, in that order, for transmitting status informationto the master.

Preferably, the on-off bit map status information transmission time slotis made extra long to allow for dimmers connected to different phases ofa three-phase power system. This may be necessary if the dimmersdetermine the beginning of the time slots based on line voltage zerocrossings. Dimmers coupled to different phases of a three phase systemwill therefore have overlapping time slots (if the time slots exceed 1/3of a half cycle) which can cause interference between the communicationsfor adjacent time slots. To solve this problem, the time slots are madeextra long, illustratively twice as long, which allows a period of deadtime at the end portion of a time slot which eliminates overlap withinformation in the following time slot for a dimmer connected to adifferent phase.

As described above, the repeaters create an on-off status bit map andtransmit it. The repeater generated on-off status bit map indicates theon-off status of all control devices. Each repeater transmitsinformation known to it in the time slot assigned to that repeater. Asthe repeater sequence proceeds, each repeater accumulates informationtransmitted by the other repeaters and adds it to the on-off status bitmap. By the end of transmission, all the repeaters will have transmitteda completed on-off status bit map and each master will have received thecompleted on-off status bit map at least once.

Each dimmer has two bits in the on-off status bit map. A 10 indicatesthat the dimmer is in the "on" state and a 01 indicates that the dimmeris in the "off" state. A 00 or 11 indicates no response. These "noresponse" sequences alternate. This method ensures that 50% duty cycledata is always received by the receiver which allows the use of afloating threshold to optimize sensitivity.

In order to ensure that communications are received by each of the localcontrols and masters in the system, the repeaters repeat in a specifiedsequence. The repeater sequence is such that it does not requireknowledge of the order or location of the repeaters to guarantee amessage is passed to each component for which it was intended.

The repeaters are used to extend the range of operation of the system.According to the conventional thought, repeaters are placed between twopoints of communication. For example, if points A and B are too farapart, a repeater is placed between them so that they may communicatewith each other. If points A and B are even further apart, multiplerepeaters may be used. Each repeater hears a message and sends it on tothe next repeater. Then the next repeater hears that message and sendsit. In the preferred embodiment of the system according to theinvention, the allowed distance from a master or dimmer to a repeater is30 feet. The allowed distance from one repeater to another is 60 feet inthe preferred embodiment.

For example, in a system having two dimmers D1 and D2 and three mastersM1, M2 and M3, the repeaters R1 and R2 might be placed as indicated inFIG. 22A. In such a case, a repeater sequence of R1-R2-R1 is establishedto ensure that all devices receive their messages. For example, in theabove-mentioned case, if M3 sends an initial message, R2 would hear themessage but R1 would not. D2 also would not hear the message.Accordingly, R1 is unable to respond in its time slot because it did nothear the message. R2 is able to repeat the message in its time slotbecause it heard the signal from M3. Because R1 can hear R2, R1 thenrepeats the message in its time slot, allowing D2 to receive themessage.

It can be shown that for the two repeater system shown in FIG. 22A, therepeater sequence of R1-R2-R1 will ensure that all communication deviceswithin the transmission zones of R1 and R2 will receive messagesintended for those devices after repetition by the repeaters of thesignals in the sequence R1-R2-R1.

As long as each device is within the range of at least one repeater, alldevices will thus be assured of communicating with each other. Accordingto the preferred embodiment, each one of the repeater time slots is 25milliseconds long. It is required that any single device onlycommunicate once in a 100 millisecond interval due to FCC regulations.FCC averaging is performed every 100 milliseconds. As a result, in orderto ensure that any device communicates only once in a 100 millisecondinterval, which allows for maximum transmission power, wait slots areadded so that the first repeater does not violate this rule.Accordingly, the sequence obtained is R1-R2-W-W-R1. Thus after thesecond repeater repeats there are two wait (W) slots before the firstrepeater repeats.

For three repeaters, the sequence necessary to ensure that all deviceswithin range of any repeater receive communications intended for it has7 slots, e.g., R1-R2-R3-R1-R2-R3-R1 (7 slots). In order to ensure thatno device communicates more than once in a 100 millisecond interval,wait slots are added as follows: R1-R2-R3-W-R1-R2-R3-W-R1 (9 slots).

For four repeaters, the shortest possible sequence is 12 slots, e.g.,R1-R2-R3-R4-R1-R3-R2-R1-R4-R3-R1-R2 (12 slots). With this sequence,however, repeaters R1 and R3 communicate more than once in 100milliseconds. Accordingly, the following sequence is usedR1-R2-R3-R4-R1-R2-R3-R4-R1-R2-R3-R4-R1 (13 slots). For 5 and 6repeaters, the following sequences can be used R5-R6- four repeatersequence!-R5-R6. This would require that repeaters R5 and R6 each hearat least one system repeater R1 to R4. Another sequence that can also beemployed is the following R6-R5- four repeater sequence!-R5-R6. Thiswould require that repeater R5 hear at least one system repeater R1 toR4. Repeater R6 must hear at least a system repeater R1 to R4 orrepeater R5.

In general, the number of slots required (R) as a function of the numberof repeaters (N) is determined by the following relationship: for N lessthan or equal to 4,

    R(N)= 4×(N-1)!+1,

for N=5 then the equation is R(5)=R(4)+2 =15 slots. for N=6 then theequation is R(6)=R(5)+2=R(4)+4=17 slots.

When a master unit communicates that a button has been depressed, thismay control multiple dimmers, in the preferred embodiment, up to 32dimmers. All affected dimmers respond by indicating their status intheir respective time slot so the master will know that each dimmeroperated in response to a communication from a master. If each responseis passed through the repeater sequence, too much time will be required.To overcome this, the repeaters build and pass the described on-offstatus bit map of dimmer status information. By the end of the repeatersequence, each master must have received a complete bit map at leastonce.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an aim of the invention isto use the shortest repeater chain possible. Because of the FCCrequirement, a sequence has been developed such that a repeater speaksonly once in 100 milliseconds, i.e. once out of every four 25millisecond timeslots. An alternative scheme is that if a repeater hasalready communicated, it cannot retransmit again in its next slot if itwould be within 100 milliseconds of its previous transmission. However,such a scheme would not have assured proper building and passing of theon-off status bit map. The development of the complete on-off status bitmap would have required two passes through the repeater chain.Accordingly, an alternative scheme is to use the shortest possiblesequence for outgoing messages and not to use any wait slots. If arepeater has already communicated, it remains silent in its next slot.Such a method would add significant complexity to the program code andremove redundancy or reliability from the link. However, such analternative scheme can save transmission time.

FIG. 21 shows how the system of the invention, using repeaters,eliminates problems that would occur in non-repeater type systems. Forexample, wave A shows how an RF signal could be affected passing throughwalls of a house without a repeater. Such building materials as lumber,drywall, metal lath, pipes, electrical wiring, etc. can attenuate the RFsignal so that it is not received by the receiver. Furniture, people,animals and water moving in pipes can also cause attenuation orshadowing.

Using a repeater, space diversity is accomplished, as shown by wave B inFIG. 21. The repeater ensures that an amplified signal is repeated orrelayed to the receiver. This creates space diversity for reliability.

FIG. 22 shows how multiple transmission paths can cause multi-pathnulls, as is well known. The transmitted signal, after being reflectedby the RF reflector and travelling a distance of mλ+λ/2 may combine withthe signal travelling the shorter distance nλ destructively, resultingin weak or no reception at the receiver.

By using a repeater in the system of the invention, because of the spacediversity provided by the repeater, it is unlikely also to develop amulti-path null at the receiver from the signals transmitted bothdirectly from the repeater and via reflection after transmission fromthe repeater.

As described, in one embodiment of the invention wherein a repeater isnot employed, the master devices transmit or broadcast controlinformation simultaneously to all control devices. The affected controldevices change the status of the connected electrical devices and returnstatus information to the master devices in assigned timeslots, i.e.,sequentially.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a repeater is employed toprovide a redundant path for radio frequency transmissions betweenmaster devices and control devices. In the preferred embodiment, thecontrol signals from the master devices are broadcast so that they caneither be received directly by the control devices or received by thecontrol devices via one or more repeaters. As in the previouslydescribed embodiment, the dimmers respond to the control information andchange the status of the affected lamps. The control devices transmitstatus information concerning the affected lamps in assigned timeslots,i.e., sequentially. This information can be received either directly bythe master or received by the repeater where all the received statusinformation is combined into a combined status signal for transmissionto the master control device.

If a second repeater is employed, this repeater can receive statusinformation either directly from the control devices or in the form ofthe combined status signal from the first repeater. The second repeatertakes the status information that is received and combines it into asecond combined status signal which is then transmitted for reception bythe master.

FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 show the block diagrams of the master station,repeater and dimmer, respectively, according to the invention.

Turning now to FIG. 23, the master station includes, as describedpreviously, a main board 205, 306, and an RF board 207, 302, dependingupon whether it is a table top master or a wall mount master. The blockdiagrams are the same, although the circuit boards for the wall mountmasters may be made more compact than those for the table top masters.The RF board 207 or 302 is connected to an antenna 209 or 326 accordingto whether the master is a table top or a wall mounted master.

The main board 205, 306 is provided for supplying power and providingcontrol functions. AC power is provided to a full wave rectifier bridge230. The output of the full wave bridge is provided to a power supplyregulator circuit 232 which provides power for the processor and logiccircuitry. The output of the full wave bridge 230 is provided to a zerocrossing detector 234 which is used to synchronize the time slots, theoutput of which is provided to a microcontroller 236. Themicrocontroller 236 is coupled to a reset controller 238 in conventionalfashion. The control buttons and LED matrix 240 of the master stationare coupled to the microcontroller 236 for providing the microcontrollerinformation concerning the selected local controls and for providingstatus information to the LEDs.

Data to be transmitted for controlling the local controls is provided ona data outline 242 to the RF board 207, 302. When the data is to betransmitted, the microcontroller 236 first provides a transmit enablesignal on line 246 to a transmit oscillator 248, preferably operating ata frequency of 418 MHz. The data to be transmitted is provided on line242 to a data switch 244 which on-off keys the data onto the 418 MHzcarrier. The key modulated data is then fed to a transmit/receive switch250 and then to antenna 209, 326. Incoming information, for example,status information from a local control, is provided from the antenna209, 326 to the transmit receive/switch 250. The received information isprovided then to a superheterodyne receiver. The received data isprovided to a low noise amplifier 252, filtered by a filter 254, mixedat 256 with a local oscillator signal provided by a local oscillator258, such that an IF signal is produced. The IF signal modulator whichreceives information is supplied to the IF amplifier 260, thereafterprovided to a data slicer 262 which squares up the data signal andprovides it to the data input of the microcontroller 236.

The block diagram of the repeater is shown in FIG. 24. It hasessentially the same components, which are like renumbered as the masterof FIG. 23 using "400" series numbers instead of "200" series.Accordingly, it has essentially the same block diagram as the masterstation. The microcontroller 436 is of course, programmed differentlythan the microcontroller of the master station, as discussed above withrespect to the program flow. In addition, the repeater processor 436preferably has a communications port 437 which allows it (and thus themaster units) to communicate with external devices, e.g. securitysystems, computers, networks, computer networks (e.g. the Internet)audio/visual systems, HVAC systems, communication systems (e.g.telephone systems or other communication systems), cable systems, otherappliances, sensors, etc. Alternatively, the communications port 437 canalso be coupled to the master controller 236.

FIG. 25 shows the block diagram of the dimmer. The dimmer block diagramis similar to the block diagram of the master and repeater. Likecomponents are numbered similarly using "500" series numbers. However,additional circuits are included. The dimmer includes a phase controlsection 541 and a three-way signal detection circuit 545. The phasecontrol section 541 is of conventional design and is controlled by themicrocontroller 536. The phase control section 541 includes the powerswitching device 514. The microcontroller 536 is controlled by signalsreceived from antenna 526 and also by manual actuation of dimmer control537 and switch actuator 52 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The switchesactuated by actuator 52 and dimmer control 537 are part of switch andLED matrix 540 of FIG. 25. Instead of the dimmer control 537, aconventional potentiometer type dimmer control or another known dimmercontrol can be employed replacing a portion of switch and LED matrix540.

Three-way signal detection circuit 545 is provided for determining if asignal from another switch connected with the dimmer in a three-waycircuit is received. The three-way signal detection circuit 545 is ofconventional design.

In all other respects, the block diagram is the same as the blockdiagram for the master repeater. Of course, the program resident inmicrocontroller 536 is different than the program resident in themicrocontrollers 236 and 436 of the master and repeater, respectively,as previously described.

As is evident from the block diagrams and the program flow alreadydiscussed, intelligence in the system of the invention is distributedamongst the master stations, repeaters and dimmers. Each master anddimmer contains all the relationship information pertaining to itself.Accordingly, if any one component fails, the rest of the systemcontinues to operate. The intelligence information may, however, bemoved to different components. For example, if a repeater is not used,its intelligence can be moved to the master.

The system described allows a building's lighting system to becontrolled remotely without the installation of any additional wiring.It provides, unlike any prior art system, the ability to know the statusof each light fixture from the remote master station. The statusindicated at the master station is the true status of each lightfixture. When a control device (dimmer) changes the status of a lamp,either because of a command from a master or a manual actuation, itreturns a status signal to the master. The system is capable ofproviding this status information as well as command informationreliably because of the use of repeaters, the repeater sequencing, useof time slots and use of assignment and on-off status bit maps tocommunicate respectively, dimmer assignments and status information. Therepeater or repeaters provide "space diversity" to overcome shadowing,nulls, attenuation, electromagnetic interference and inefficiencies ofthe antenna used at the control device.

The use of a repeater provides an alternative path for a signal totravel between the master and control device and vice versa. Thus, ifthe chance of a transmission failing for any given path is 1/1000, byusing two paths that are subject to independent failure, the chance of afailure is reduced to 1/1,000,000.

As described, however, the system can be constructed without therepeater or repeaters, in which case any essential functions such asprogramming functions can be located elsewhere, e.g., in the mastercontrol unit. In such a system, all master units and control devicesmust be in range of each other.

In another embodiment of the system according to the invention, acombination of radio frequency signals and power line carrier signalsare employed to transmit and receive command and status information.

FIG. 26 shows a first embodiment employing a combination of radiofrequency and power line carrier signals. According to this embodiment,master units, for example, table top master 20A or wall mounted master30A transmit power line carrier signals 11 onto the existing power line10 comprising the wiring of the lighting system. These power linecarrier signals 11 are received by a lighting control device, forexample, dimmer 50Z. Dimmer 50Z has a power line carrier receiver whichresponds to the command signals from the master units 20A, 30A tocontrol the status of the lamp 54.

In order to return status information to the master units 20A or 30A,the control device 50Z utilizes radio frequency signals 9A, shown by thezig-zag arrows in FIG. 26. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, arepeater 40A may be employed in order to increase the reliability of thesystem. However, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the repeater maybe dispensed with if all control devices are within communication rangeof the master stations. The repeater 40A essentially accomplishes thesame purpose as the repeater 40 of FIG. 1 namely, it provides anadditional path for the transmission of status information to the masterstations 20A, 30A, relaying RF signals 9B to the master stations.

In another embodiment of the combined RF power line carrier system, anRF to power line carrier bridge 40B is employed. In this system, themaster units 20B, 30B transmit radio frequency signals, as shown by thezig-zag lines 51B in FIG. 27, to the RF to PLC bridge 40B. The RF to PLCbridge 40B converts the radio frequency signals into power line carriersignals, and superimposes them on the existing power line wiring of 10of the building, as shown by the arrows 13 of FIG. 27. These power linecarrier signals include the command information for the control devices.Additionally, RF to PLC bridge 40B receives radio frequency signals fromthe control devices 50Y, as shown by zig-zag arrows 51A, and convertsthese radio frequency signals into power line carrier signals. Thesepower line carrier signals include status information concerning thestatus of the electric lamps 54 connected to the control devices 50Y.

Accordingly, the power line carrier signals 13 are of two types, commandsignals for the control devices and status signals from the controldevices to be received by the master units 20B, 30B. As in the otherembodiments, the master units 20B, 30B use the status information toindicate the status of the controlled electric lamps 54.

FIG. 28 shows the block diagram of a master unit 20A, 30A of theembodiment of FIG. 26. The master unit of FIG. 28 comprisesmicrocontroller 1136 which has the operating program stored therein.Microcontroller 1136 receives status information concerning the statusof the controlled electrical lamps 54 at an input 1143. Input 1143 iscoupled to a receiver comprising an antenna 1109, 1126, for example, aprinted circuit board antenna as previously described for a wall mountedmaster 30A shown in FIG. 26. The output of the antenna is coupled to alow noise amplifier 1152 whose output is coupled to a filter 1154. Theoutput of the filter is coupled to a mixer 1156 fed by a localoscillator 1158. The beat frequency of the mixer 1156 is coupled to theinput of an intermediate frequency amplifier 1160 whose output iscoupled to a data slicer 1162. The data slicer functions in the samemanner as described with reference to FIGS. 23-25. The output of thedata slicer is coupled to the input 1143 of the microcontroller 1136.

The microcontroller 1136 provides command information for the lightingcontrol devices 50Z of FIG. 26 to a data modulator 1144. The carrierfrequency for the data modulator 1144 is provided by a transmitoscillator 1148 which is enabled by an enable line 1146 from themicrocontroller 1136. The modulator control data is supplied to thesignal coupling transformer 1120 whose secondary is coupled to the powerline 10 for providing the power line carrier signal to the power linefor receipt by the control devices 50Z.

The remaining blocks of FIG. 28 are substantially the same as thecorresponding blocks shown in FIG. 23 and are numbered accordingly,using "1100" series numbers.

FIG. 29 shows the block diagram of the control device 50Z, 50Y which issubstantially the same for both the embodiment of FIG. 26 and that ofFIG. 27. As shown, the lighting control device 50Z, 50Y which maycomprise a dimmer, includes a microcontroller 1236, a switch and LEDmatrix 1240, a phase control section 1241, a three-way signal detectioncircuit 1245, a power supply 1232, zero crossing detector 1234,rectifier bridge 1230 and reset controller 1238. The functions of theseblocks are substantially the same as like blocks shown in FIGS. 23-25.

The lighting control device of FIGS. 26, 27 and 29 receives commandinformation as power line carrier signals via a signal couplingtransformer 1220, the secondary of which is coupled to a filter 1222,whose output is coupled to a data demodulator 1224. The output of thedata demodulator is coupled to the data input 1243 of themicrocontroller 1236. Accordingly, the microcontroller 1236 obtainscommands for controlling the status of the electric lamps 54.

The microcontroller 1236 returns status information for receipt by themaster as radio frequency signals. In the embodiment of FIG. 26, theradio frequency signals can be received either directly by the master orvia the repeater 40A. In the embodiment of FIG. 27, the radio frequencysignals are received by the RF to PLC bridge 40B and converted to powerline carrier signals for receipt by the master over the power line.

Accordingly, the status information is provided on an output of themicrocontroller 1236 to a data switch 1244 which receives its carrierfrom a transmit oscillator 1248 enabled by an output 1246 of themicrocontroller 1236. The output of the data switch 1244 is coupled toan antenna 1226, preferably the printed circuit board antenna describedearlier.

FIG. 30 shows the block diagram of the master units 20B, 30B of FIG. 27.The master unit comprises a microcontroller 1336, as well as the fullwave rectifier bridge 1330, power supply 1332, zero crossing detector1334, button and LED matrix 1340 and reset controller 1338 as describedwith reference to the other block diagrams. The master unit according tothe system of FIG. 27 transmits radio frequency signals via a dataswitch 1344, transmit oscillator 1348 enabled by line 1346 frommicrocontroller 1336 and antenna 1326. The information transmitted byradio signals by antenna 1326 is received by the RF to PLC bridge 40Band converted into PLC signals for receipt by the control devices 50Yfor controlling the status of the connected electric lamps 54.

Microcontroller 1336 of the master unit shown in FIG. 30 receives statusinformation concerning the status of the electrical lamps 54 from thepower line 10 via a signal coupling transformer 1320., The secondary ofthe transformer 1320 is coupled to a filter 1322 and data demodulator1324. The output of the data demodulator 1324 comprising the statusinformation is provided to the data input of the microcontroller 1336for informing the master unit of the status of the electric lamp 54.

FIG. 31 shows the block diagram of the RF to PLC bridge 40B of FIG. 27.The block diagram is substantially the same as that of the master unitshown in FIG. 30. An important difference is that the microcontroller1436 of FIG. 31 is provided with a program to convert the radiofrequency command information from the masters 20B and 30B and the radiofrequency status information from the control devices 50Y into powerline carrier signals for receipt, respectively, by the control devices50Y and master units 20B, 30B.

As in the other block diagrams shown, the bridge includes a button andLED matrix 1440, zero crossing detector 1434, full wave rectifier bridge1430, power supply 1432 and reset controller 1438. The RF to PLC bridgeof FIG. 31 receives radio frequency signals via antenna 1426. Theseradio frequency signals are provided to a low noise amplifier 1452 whoseoutput is provided to a filter 1454. The output of the filter isprovided to a mixer 1456 coupled to the output of a local oscillator1458. The beat frequency of the mixer is supplied to an intermediatefrequency amplifier 1460 whose output is supplied to a data slicer 1462.The output of the data slicer, comprising the baseband information inthe radio frequency signals, is supplied to the microcontroller 1436. Asdiscussed previously, this information, depending upon the source, cancomprise either status information from the control devices 50Y orcommand information from the masters 20B, 30B.

The microcontroller 1436 provides the respective status or commandinformation to a data modulator 1444 coupled to a transmit oscillator1448 which is enabled by a line 1446 from the microcontroller 1436. Theoutput of the data modulator 1444 is provided to a signal couplingtransformer 1420, whose secondary is provided to the power line 10 tosuperimpose the respective command and status signals on the power line.

FIG. 32 shows the details of the connection of the dimmer 50, whoseblock diagram is shown in FIG. 25, to the building's existing hard wiredelectrical system 10. The hot lead of the dimmer, identified as theblack lead in FIG. 25, is connected to a phase hot wire 7, of thebuilding's existing hard wired electrical system. The dimmed hot lead ofthe dimmer, identified as the red lead in FIG. 25, is connected to theelectric lamp 54 via wire 5. Optionally, 3-way signal lead 14 identifiedas the blue lead in FIG. 25, is connected to a remote device (notshown). The remote device provides signals to control the on-off statusand the intensity setting of the dimmer of FIG. 25. A device of thistype is the Maestro Remote Model MA-R manufactured by the assignee ofthe present invention.

The other terminal of electric lamp 54 is connected to a neutral wire 12of the building's existing hard wired electrical system.

It should be noted that there is no direct connection at the dimmer 50to the neutral wire 12, but that dimmer 50 is only connected to neutralwire 12 through electric lamp 54.

This is significant because in a situation where dimmer 50 is beingretrofitted into an existing building, neutral wire 12 would usually notbe available in the existing wallbox into which dimmer 50 would beinstalled to replace an existing switch controlling electric lamp 54.

If dimmer 50 did require direct connection to neutral wire 12 then inthe retrofit situation described an additional wire would have to bepulled into the wallbox in which dimmer 50 was installed through theexisting building walls, which would add significantly to the cost ofinstallation and may cause damage to finished building surfaces.

All the power supplied to power supply 532 which powers the controlcircuitry and the radio frequency circuitry in dimmer 50 is derived fromthe connections to phase hot wire 7 and electric lamp connection wire 5.

This is possible because dimmer 50 uses a relatively low power radiofrequency transmitter to transmit status signals and low power controlcircuitry, but more particularly is possible because dimmer 50 does notuse power line carrier signals to transmit status information whichwould employ a transmitter which uses more power than can be derivedfrom the connection to phase hot wire 7 and electric lamp connectionwire 5.

In addition to the employment of the system described to controllighting fixtures remotely without rewiring, the system according to theinvention can also be employed to control other electrically operateddevices, e.g., security systems, HVAC systems, PC's, motors, appliances,sensors etc. and may be connected to such systems as cable TV, theInternet, phone lines, PC's audio visual systems, local area networks,etc. for communications.

The system of the invention can also employ an input/output device. Theinput/output device can receive a signal from a signal generatingdevice, for example, a time clock, occupancy sensor, modem input, etc.In response to the signal from the signal generating device, which maybe located remotely, the input/output device produces a command signal,e.g., an RF signal like masters 20, 20B or 30, 30B or a PLC signal likemasters 20A, 30A, for controlling respective lighting control devices.

Conversely, the input/output device can provide output signals from RFor PLC inputs, depending on the embodiment, for controlling externaldevices, in much the same way as the communications port previouslydescribed.

Additionally, the system could be employed with phone lines to allow thechecking of the system status from remote locations. The system alsoprovides benefits relating to energy conservation and provides securityand/or a sense of security to a building/home occupant.

The system according to the invention is also easily expanded toaccommodate electrical lighting systems of any size. The user/installermerely must replace the conventional lighting switches with the localcontrols according to the invention, expand the size of the masterstation or stations to the size required and install the number ofrepeaters that may be necessary (if the embodiment uses a repeater) forthe size of the system.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention employs radiofrequency communication links, other communication links can also beemployed, as shown by the alternative embodiments, in either or bothdirections, e.g. power line carrier links.

Although the present invention has been described in relation toparticular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modificationsand other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. Thepresent invention, therefore should be limited not by the specificdisclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A repeater for use in a two way communicationsystem for retransmitting information between a first device and asecond device to help ensure reliable two way communication between thedevices, the repeater comprising:a transmitter/receiver, thetransmitter/receiver receiving information in signals from the first andsecond devices and transmitting the received information in signals forreception by the respective second and first devices; and furtherwherein a direct communication path for the information between thefirst and second devices is provided, the direct communication pathbeing intermittently unreliable; the repeater providing an additionalpath for the information between the first and second devices; therepeater being spaced from said first and second devices by respectivespecified distances, said respective specified distances being less thana theoretical maximum communication distance between the repeater andeach of the first and second devices; and further comprising a pluralityof second devices, said first device comprising a master unit, saidplurality of second devices comprising control devices for controllingrespective electrical devices; the master unit transmitting controlinformation to establish a status of respective ones of the electricaldevices, the control devices being adapted to respond to selectedcontrol information to command the respective electrical devices to astatus directed by the control information, the control devicegenerating status information for transmitting to the master unit; therepeater comprising an information combiner for generating combinedinformation on the status of all the electrical devices, the combinedinformation being transmitted for reception at least once by said masterunit.
 2. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the information combiner is abit map generator and each control device is assigned a location in thebit map, the status information from the control device being insertedinto the bit map in the appropriate location by the bit map generator.3. The repeater of claim 2, further wherein the system includes at leastone additional repeater, each repeater having a time slot in which toretransmit received information in order to avoid interference withother repeaters, the repeaters retransmitting in a defined sequence tohelp ensure that the first device and each second device receive theinformation intended to be received by the respective device.
 4. Therepeater of claim 3, wherein the bit map generator of each repeaterinserts status information the respective repeater has received into thebit map and retransmits updated bit map information in the time slotassigned to the repeater in accordance with the defined sequence wherebyat the end of the defined sequence, complete bit map information havingall status information therein will have been formed and transmitted toand received by the master unit.
 5. The repeater of claim 4, furthercomprising at least one additional first device comprising a secondmaster unit, and wherein said complete bit map information istransmitted to and received by all master units at the end of saiddefined sequence.
 6. The repeater of claim 3, wherein each repeatercomprises a circuit for establishing the repeater as a selected one of amain repeater and a remote repeater, and if selected as the mainrepeater, for generating an address for each other repeater to establishthe time slot for retransmission by each other repeater.
 7. The repeaterof claim 6, wherein the main repeater comprises an address generator forassigning an address to each control device and master control unit tofacilitate two way communication between the master control unit and theelectrical control devices.
 8. The repeater of claim 1, furthercomprising a communications port for communicating with an externalsystem, said port adapted to communicate information between theexternal system and the first and second devices.
 9. The repeater ofclaim 8, wherein the external system comprises one of a security system,HVAC system, computer system, cable system, communication system,telephone system and audio/visual system.
 10. The repeater of claim 1,wherein the electrical device comprises electric lamps coupled to abuilding electrical system.
 11. The repeater of claim 1, wherein thetransmitter/receiver comprises a radio frequency transmitter/receiver.12. The repeater of claim 1, further comprising a control circuit forensuring that the signals transmitted by the repeater do not interferewith signals transmitted by the first and second devices.
 13. Therepeater of claim 12, wherein the control circuit comprises a circuitfor transmitting signals to each of the respective first and seconddevices in assigned time slots.
 14. The repeater of claim 1, includingan address assigner for assigning addresses to each of the controldevices.
 15. The repeater of claim 1, wherein the transmitter/receivercomprises a superheterodyne receiver.
 16. A repeater for use in a twoway communication system for retransmitting information between a firstdevice and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communicationbetween the devices, the repeater comprising:a transmitter/receiver, thetransmitter/receiver receiving information in signals from the first andsecond devices and transmitting the received information in signals forreception by the respective second and first devices; and furtherwherein a direct communication path for the information between thefirst and second devices is provided, the direct communication pathbeing intermittently unreliable; the repeater providing an additionalpath for the information between the first and second devices; therepeater being spaced from said first and second devices by respectivespecified distances, said respective specified distances being less thana theoretical maximum communication distance between the repeater andeach of the first and second devices; and further including a selectorto automatically select a digital house code to prevent interferencewith adjacent systems.
 17. The repeater of claim 16, further whereineach repeater comprises a computer programmed to select a house codethat does not interfere with nearby installed systems.
 18. A method fortwo-way communication between a first device and a second device to helpensure reliable two-way communication between the devicescomprising:providing a repeater within communication range of each ofthe first and second devices; receiving information from first andsecond devices with the repeater and transmitting the receivedinformation in respective signals for reception by the respective secondand first devices; further providing a direct communication path for theinformation between the first and second devices, the directcommunication path being intermittently unreliable; the repeaterproviding an additional path for the information between the first andsecond devices; said step of transmitting comprising helping to ensurethat information transmitted by the repeater in the respective signalsdoes not interfere with signals transmitted by the first and seconddevices; and spacing the repeater from said first and second devices byrespective specified distances, the respective specified distances beingless than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensurecommunication reliability between the repeater and each of the first andsecond devices; further wherein there are a plurality of second devices,the first device comprising a master unit, the plurality of seconddevices comprising control devices for controlling respective electricaldevices, and further comprising the steps of;generating controlinformation at the master unit to establish a status of respective onesof the electrical devices; responding to selected control information atthe control devices to command the respective electrical devices to astatus directed by the control information; generating statusinformation at the control devices for transmission to the master unit;generating combined information at the repeater of the status of all theelectrical devices; and transmitting the combined information forreception at least once by said master unit.
 19. The method of claim 18,wherein the step of generating combined information further comprisesthe generation of a bit map and assigning each control device a locationin the bit map and inserting into the bit map in the assigned locationsthe status information from each control device.
 20. The method of claim19, further comprising the steps of providing at least one additionalrepeater, each repeater having a time slot in which to transmit thereceived information in order to avoid interference with otherrepeaters, and transmitting with the repeaters in a defined sequence tohelp ensure that the first device and each second device receives theinformation intended to be received by the respective device.
 21. Themethod of claim 20, further comprising inserting status information therespective repeater has received into the bit map and transmittingupdated bit map information in the time slot assigned to the repeater inaccordance with the defined sequence whereby at the end of the definedsequence, complete bit map information having all status informationtherein will have been formed and transmitted to and received by themaster unit.
 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising providing atleast one additional first device comprising a second master unit, andfurther comprising the step of transmitting complete bit map informationfor reception by all master units at the end of the defined sequence.23. The method of claim 20, further comprising establishing the repeateras a selected one of a main repeater and a remote repeater, and ifselected as the main repeater, generating an address for each otherrepeater to establish the time slot for transmission by each otherrepeater.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising assigning withsaid main repeater an address to each control device and master controlunit to facilitate two way communication between the master control unitand the control devices.
 25. The method of claim 18, further comprisingproviding a communication port at the repeater for communicating with anexternal system whereby the repeater is adapted to communicateinformation between the external system and the first and seconddevices.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the external systemcomprises one of a security system, HVAC system, computer system, cablesystem, communication system, telephone system and audio/visual system.27. The method of claim 18, wherein the electrical devices compriseelectric lamps coupled to the building electrical system.
 28. The methodof claim 18, wherein the step of transmitting/receiving comprisestransmitting/receiving using a radio frequency signal.
 29. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the step of helping to ensure that the retransmittedsignals do not interfere with signals transmitted by the first andsecond devices comprises the step of transmitting information torespective ones of the first and second devices in assigned time slots.30. The method of claim 18, further comprising assigning addresses toeach of the control devices.
 31. The method of claim 18, furthercomprising programming a computer in said repeater to select a housecode that does not interfere with nearby installed systems.
 32. A methodfor two-way communication between a first device and a second device tohelp ensure reliable two-way communication between the devicescomprising:providing a repeater within communication range of each ofthe first and second devices; receiving information from first andsecond devices with the repeater and transmitting the receivedinformation in respective signals for reception by the respective secondand first devices; further providing a direct communication path for theinformation between the first and second devices, the directcommunication path being intermittently unreliable; the repeaterproviding an additional path for the information between the first andsecond devices; said step of transmitting comprising helping to ensurethat information transmitted by the repeater in the respective signalsdoes not interfere with signals transmitted by the first and seconddevices; and spacing the repeater from said first and second devices byrespective specified distances, the respective specified distances beingless than a theoretical maximum communication distance thereby to ensurecommunication reliability between the repeater and each of the first andsecond devices; and further comprising automatically selecting a digitalhouse code to prevent interference with adjacent systems.
 33. A repeaterfor use in a two way communication system for retransmitting informationbetween a first device and a plurality of second devices to help ensurereliable two way communication between the devices, the repeatercomprising:a transmitter/receiver, the transmitter/receiver receivinginformation in signals from the first and second devices andtransmitting the received information in signals for reception by therespective second and first devices; said first device comprising amaster unit, said plurality of second devices comprising control devicesfor controlling respective electrical devices; the master unittransmitting control information to establish a status of respectiveones of the electrical devices, the local control devices being adaptedto respond to selected control information to command the respectiveelectrical devices to a status directed by the control information, thelocal control device generating status information for reception by themaster unit; and the repeater comprising an information combiner forgenerating combined information on the status of all the electricaldevices, the combined information being transmitted for reception atleast once by said master unit.
 34. The repeater of claim 33, furtherwherein the repeater is spaced from said first and second devices byrespective specified distances, said respective specified distancesbeing less than a theoretical maximum communication distance between therepeater and each of the first and second devices thereby to help ensurecommunication reliability.
 35. The repeater of claim 33, wherein theinformation combiner is a bit map generator where each control device isassigned a location in a bit map, the status information from thecontrol device being inserted into the bit map in the appropriatelocation by the bit map generator.
 36. The repeater of claim 35, furtherwherein the system includes at least one additional repeater, eachrepeater having a time slot in which to transmit received information inorder to avoid interference with other repeaters, the repeaterstransmitting in a defined sequence to help ensure that the first deviceand each second device receive the information intended to be receivedby the respective device.
 37. The repeater of claim 36, wherein the bitmap generator of each repeater inserts status information the respectiverepeater has received into the bit map and transmits updated bit mapinformation in the time slot assigned to the repeater in accordance withthe defined sequence whereby at the end of the defined sequence,complete bit map information having all status information therein willhave been formed and transmitted to and received by the master unit. 38.The repeater of claim 37, further comprising at least one additionalfirst device comprising a second master unit, and wherein said completebit map information is transmitted to and received by all master unitsat the end of said defined sequence.
 39. The repeater of claim 36,wherein each repeater comprises a circuit for establishing the repeateras a selected one of a main repeater and a remote repeater, and ifselected as the main repeater, for generating an address for each otherrepeater to establish the time slot for transmission by each otherrepeater.
 40. The repeater of claim 39, wherein the main repeatercomprises a computer comprising an address generator for assigning anaddress to each control device and master control unit to facilitate twoway communication between the master control unit and the controldevices.
 41. The repeater of claim 33, further comprising acommunications port for communicating with an external system, said portadapted to communicate information between the external system and thefirst and second devices.
 42. The repeater of claim 41, wherein theexternal system comprises one of a security system, HVAC system,computer system, cable system, communication system, telephone systemand audio/visual system.
 43. The repeater of claim 33, wherein theelectrical devices comprises electric lamps coupled to a buildingelectrical system.
 44. The repeater of claim 33, wherein thetransmitter/receiver comprises a radio frequency transmitter/receiver.45. The repeater of claim 33, further comprising a control circuit forensuring that the signals transmitted by the repeater do not interferewith signals transmitted by the first and second devices.
 46. Therepeater of claim 45, wherein the control circuit comprises a circuitfor transmitting signals to each of the respective first and seconddevices in assigned time slots.
 47. The repeater of claim 33, includinga selector for automatically selecting a digital house code to preventinterference with adjacent systems.
 48. The repeater of claim 33,including an address assignor for assigning addresses to each of thecontrol devices.
 49. The repeater of claim 33, wherein thetransmitter/receiver comprises a superheterodyne receiver.
 50. Therepeater of claim 33, further wherein each repeater comprises a computerprogrammed to select a house code for the system that does not interferewith nearby installed systems.
 51. A method for two-way communicationbetween a first device and a plurality of second devices to help ensurereliable two-way communication between the devices comprising:providinga repeater within communication range of each of the first and seconddevices; receiving information from first and second devices with therepeater and transmitting the received information in signals forreception by the respective second and first devices; said step oftransmitting comprising helping to ensure that the transmitted signalsdo not interfere with signals transmitted by the first and seconddevices; wherein the first device comprises a master unit, the pluralityof second devices comprise control devices for controlling respectiveelectrical devices, and further comprising the steps of;transmittingcontrol information at the master unit to establish a status ofrespective ones of the electrical devices; responding to selected onesof the control information at the control devices to command therespective electrical devices to a status directed by the controlinformation; generating status information at the local control devicesfor reception by the master unit; generating combined information at therepeater of the status of all the electrical devices; and transmittingthe combined information for reception at least once by said masterunit.
 52. The method of claim 51, further comprising the step of spacingthe repeater from said first and second devices by respective specifieddistances, the respective specified distances being less than atheoretical maximum communication distance between the repeater and eachof the first and second devices thereby to help ensure communicationreliability.
 53. The method of claim 51, wherein the step of generatingcombined information further comprises the generation of a bit map andassigning each control device a location in the bit map and insertinginto the bit map in the assigned locations the status information fromeach control device.
 54. The method of claim 53, further comprising thesteps of providing at least one additional repeater, each repeaterhaving a time slot in which to transmit the received information inorder to avoid interference with other repeaters, and transmitting withthe repeaters in a defined sequence to help ensure that the first deviceand each second device receives the information intended to be receivedby the respective device.
 55. The method of claim 54, further comprisinginserting status information the respective repeater has received intothe bit map and transmitting an updated bit map information in the timeslot assigned to the repeater in accordance with the defined sequencewhereby at the end of the defined sequence, complete bit map informationhaving all status information therein will have been formed andtransmitted to and received by the master unit.
 56. The method of claim55, further comprising providing at least one additional first devicecomprising a second master unit, and further comprising the step oftransmitting complete bit map information for reception by all masterunits at the end of the defined sequence.
 57. The method of claim 54,further comprising establishing the repeater as a selected one of a mainrepeater and a remote repeater, and if selected as the main repeater,generating an address for each other repeater to establish a time slotfor retransmission by each other repeater.
 58. The method of claim 57,further comprising assigning with said main repeater an address to eachcontrol device and master control unit to facilitate two waycommunication between the master control unit and the control devices.59. The method of claim 51, further comprising providing a communicationport at the repeater for communicating with an external system wherebythe repeater is adapted to communicate information between the externalsystem and the first and second devices.
 60. The method of claim 59,wherein the external system comprises one of a security system, HVACsystem, computer system, cable system, communication system, telephonesystem and audio/visual system.
 61. The method of claim 51, wherein theelectrical devices comprise electric lamps coupled to the buildingelectrical system.
 62. The method of claim 51, wherein the step oftransmitting/receiving comprises transmitting/receiving using a radiofrequency signal.
 63. The method of claim 51, wherein the step ofhelping to ensure that the transmitted information in the signals doesnot interfere with signals transmitted by the first and second devicescomprises the step of transmitting information to respective ones of thefirst and second devices in assigned time slots.
 64. The method of claim51, further comprising automatically selecting a digital house code toprevent interference with adjacent systems.
 65. The method of claim 51,further comprising assigning addresses to each of the control devices.66. The method of claim 51, further comprising communicating via acommunications port with any of a security system, HVAC system, computersystem, audio/visual system, cable system, telephone system and computernetwork, allowing two way communication between and of said master unitand said control device and said system coupled to the communicationsport.
 67. The method of claim 51, further comprising programming acomputer to select a house code that does not interfere with nearbyinstalled systems.
 68. A method for communication between a first deviceand a second device to help ensure reliable communication between thefirst and second devices comprising:transmitting information from thefirst device in a signal radiated by an antenna at the first devicehaving a maximum dimension less than one tenth the free space wavelengthof radiation transmitted from the first device; providing a directcommunication path for the information between the first and seconddevices, the direct communication path being intermittently unreliable;providing a repeater with an antenna within communication range of eachof the first and second devices, the repeater providing an additionalpath for the information between the first and second devices; receivingthe information from the first device with the repeater and transmittingthe information for reception by the second device; spacing the repeaterfrom the first and second devices by respective specified distances, therespective specified distances being less than a theoretical maximumcommunication distance between the repeater and each of the first andsecond devices; receiving the information at the second device with anantenna having a maximum dimension less than one tenth the free spacewavelength of radiation transmitted from the first device.
 69. Themethod of claim 68, further comprising providing a communications portat the repeater for communicating with an external system whereby therepeater is adapted to communicate information between the externalsystem and the first and second devices.
 70. The method of claim 68,wherein the step of transmitting/receiving comprisestransmitting/receiving using a radio frequency signal.
 71. A method forcommunication between a first device and a second device to help ensurereliable communication between the first and second devicescomprising:transmitting information from the first device in a signalradiated by an antenna at the first device having a maximum dimensionless than one tenth the free space wavelength of radiation transmittedfrom the first device; providing a direct communication path for theinformation between the first and second devices, the directcommunication path being intermittently unreliable; providing a repeaterwith an antenna within communication range of each of the first andsecond devices, the repeater providing an additional path for theinformation between the first and second devices; receiving theinformation from the first device with the repeater and transmitting theinformation for reception by the second device; spacing the repeaterfrom the first and second devices by respective specified distances, therespective specified distances being less than a theoretical maximumcommunication distance between the repeater and each of the first andsecond devices; receiving the information at the second device with anantenna having a maximum dimension less than one tenth the free spacewavelength of radiation transmitted from the first device; furtherwherein there are a plurality of second devices, the first devicecomprising a master unit, the plurality of second devices comprisingcontrol devices for controlling respective electrical devices, andfurther comprising the steps of:generating control information at themaster unit to establish a status of respective ones of the electricaldevices; said control information being the information transmitted fromthe first devices; responding to selected control information of thecontrol devices to command the respective electrical devices to a statusdirected by the control information; generating status information atthe control device for transmission to master units; generating combinedinformation at the repeater of the status of all the electrical devices;and transmitting the combined information for reception at least once bysaid master unit.
 72. The method of claim 71, further comprising thesteps of providing at least one additional repeater, each repeaterhaving a time slot in which to transmit the received information inorder to avoid interference with other repeaters, and transmitting withthe repeaters in a defined sequence to help ensure that the first deviceand each second device receives the information intended to be receivedby the respective device.
 73. The method of claim 72, further comprisingproviding at least one additional first device comprising a secondmaster unit, and further comprising the step of transmitting thecombined information for reception by all master units at the end of thedefined sequence.
 74. A method for two way communication between a firstdevice and a second device to help ensure reliable two way communicationbetween the devices comprising:transmitting first information from thefirst device in a signal radiated by an antenna at the first devicehaving a maximum dimension less than one tenth the free space wavelengthof radiation transmitted from the first device; providing a directcommunication path for the first information between the first and thesecond devices, the direct communication path being intermittentlyunreliable; providing a repeater with an antenna within communicationrange of each of the first and second devices, the repeater providing anadditional path for the first information between the first and seconddevices; receiving the first information from the first device with therepeater and transmitting the first information for reception by thesecond device; spacing the repeater from the first and second devices byrespective specified distances, the respective specified distances beingless than a theoretical maximum communication distance between therepeater and each of the first and second devices; receiving the firstinformation at the second device with an antenna having a maximumdimension less than one tenth the free space wavelength of radiationtransmitted by the first device; transmitting second information fromthe second device in signals radiated by the antenna at the seconddevice; receiving the second information from the second device with therepeater and transmitting the second information for reception by thefirst device; and receiving the second information at the first devicewith the antenna at the first device.
 75. The method of claim 74,further comprising the steps of providing at least one additionalrepeater, each repeater having a time slot in which to transmit thereceived information in order to avoid interference with otherrepeaters, and transmitting with the repeaters in a defined sequence tohelp ensure that the first device and each second device receives theinformation intended to be received by the respective device.
 76. Themethod of claim 75, further comprising providing at least one additionalfirst device comprising a second master unit, and further comprising thestep of transmitting the combined information for reception by allmaster units at the end of the defined sequence.
 77. The method of claim74, further comprising providing a communications port at the repeaterfor communicating with an external system whereby the repeater isadapted to communicate information between the external system and thefirst and second devices.
 78. The method of claim 74, wherein the stepof transmitting/receiving comprises transmitting/ receiving using aradio frequency signal.
 79. A method for two way communication between afirst device and a second device to help ensure reliable two waycommunication between the devices comprising:transmitting firstinformation from the first device in a signal radiated by an antenna atthe first device having a maximum dimension less than one tenth the freespace wavelength of radiation transmitted from the first device;providing a direct communication path for the first information betweenthe first and the second devices, the direct communication path beingintermittently unreliable; providing a repeater with an antenna withincommunication range of each of the first and second devices, therepeater providing an additional path for the first information betweenthe first and second devices; receiving the first information from thefirst device with the repeater and transmitting the first informationfor reception by the second device; spacing the repeater from the firstand second devices by respective specified distances, the respectivespecified distances being less than a theoretical maximum communicationdistance between the repeater and each of the first and second devices;receiving the first information at the second device with an antennahaving a maximum dimension less than one tenth the free space wavelengthof radiation transmitted by the first device; transmitting secondinformation from the second device in signals radiated by the antenna atthe second device: receiving the second information from the seconddevice with the repeater and transmitting the second information forreception by the first device; and receiving the second information atthe first device with the antenna at the first device; further whereinthere are a plurality of second devices, the first device comprising amaster unit, the plurality of second devices comprising control devicesfor controlling respective electrical devices, and further comprisingthe steps of;generating control information at the master unit toestablish a status of respective ones of the electrical devices; saidcontrol information being the first information transmitted from thefirst device; responding to selected control information at the controldevices to command the respective electrical devices to a statusdirected by the control information; generating status information atthe control device for transmission to master units, said statusinformation being the second information transmitted from the seconddevices; generating combined information at the repeater of the statusof all the electrical devices; and transmitting the combined informationfor reception at least once by said master unit.